KOTA KINABALU: PBS has no intention to further the debate on the issue of who is right or wrong or who is to be blamed for the economic woes suffered by Sabah in the early 1990s.
PBS Secretary General Datuk Henrynus Amin said he was surprised by the tirade by Pantai Manis assemblyman Datuk Rahim Ismail against Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is PBS president and Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Infrastructure development.
He said Rahim who had been quiet and kept a low profile until his recent appointment as chairman of RISDA Holdings Bhd is revisiting old issues used to discredit Pairin and PBS in the past.
“These are old issues that PBS finds no merit to respond or address.”
“PBS supporters are rather confused by Rahim’s personal attack as they could not recall Pairin having attacked or accused Dr Mahathir of anything in recent times, not by words or deeds.”
He should be reminded that Pairin and Dr Mahathir have reconciled and buried their differences.
“I think Rahim must be responding to a certain statement by a senior PBS leader commenting on Dr Mahathir’s views in his book, “A Doctor in the House” which is critical of Pairin and the subsequent replies,” he said.
“But to be fair to Pairin, not every statement by other PBS leaders in their personal capacity should be attributed to him, as these PBS leaders are political leaders on their own merits and are accountable for their own actions.”
“To be honest, PBS does not think there is anything to answer to the statement by Rahim and therefore would not speculate as to the motive behind it.”
However, he said, it would be sad if PBS and Umno were to fall into a trap set up by certain elements in the media to create a wedge between the two close allies.
PBS, he said, would continue to work hard to strengthen its friendship with Umno and other BN component political parties.
“What matters is that PBS or Umno continue to serve the people. For that matter, BN Sabah must remain strong and be able to deliver a convincing win or the majority state and parliamentary seats in the next general election,” said Datuk Henrynus in a statement.