TENOM: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan advised locals, especially in the interior, to take up the 200,000 jobs in the plantation sector before they are offered to foreigners.
He said they should grab the employment opportunities provided by the government instead of being choosy.
“If they are too selective, the government’s desire to help the local people to get jobs will not be achieved,” he said in his speech when officiating the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Kemabong annual general meeting held at Perkasa Hotel here on Saturday.
“I hope the PBS leadership at the divisional and branch levels will ensure that local people get the jobs,” he said.
Pairin who is also the Minister for Infrastructure Development, said the jobs would be offered to foreigners if the locals were reluctant to work in the plantation sector.
He pointed out developing the interior areas requires manpower and the local youths would be able to improve their standard of living by working in the plantation sector.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok recently announced that there are 200,000 jobs available for locals in Sabah in the plantation sector.
The jobs range from labourers to supervisors.
Pairin also asked the leaders at the divisional level to settle the problems of the people proactively.
“As a party that is still relevant to safeguard and defend the democratic rights of the people and country, every party leader at the divisional and branch level has to work hard to continue the struggle of this party and ensure that no people are left out and marginalized in the mainstream of development,” he said.
On the PBS candidates for the next general election, Pairin said everyone had the right to express their opinion but the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership had the final say.
“For me, what is important is that the PBS leaders have to work hard, go down to the ground and solve the people’s problems as well as strengthen the election machinery,” he said.
Pairin added branch leaders should also register more new voters to strengthen the party.
At the event, Pairin received new membership forms from several branches in Kemabong division.
Also present were PBS vice president Datuk Radin Malleh, PBS Kemabong chief Sabini Ansimor and organising chairman Petrus Labang.