Pairin (middle), Dompok (right) and Kurup (left) renewing their commitments by enhancing cooperation and understanding to strengthen BN in Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: The three Kadazandusun Murut-based parties in Sabah showed their willingness to let go of the past, all in the spirit of unity to ensure victory for Barisan Nasional in the upcoming 13th general election.
Pairin, Dompok, Kurup offer hand of unity to help BN win the 13th general election
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup demonstrated their solidarity by jointly organising the handover of RM4.5 million in assistance to churches in Sabah on Sunday.
The three leaders shook hands at a ceremony and vowed to work together to enhance cooperation and understanding towards further strengthening the ruling coalition for the general election.
This pact and official meet by the three leaders was the first since 1994, when Dompok and Kurup left PBS and went separate ways to form and lead their own parties.
Their departure, as well as several other leaders, resulted in the fall of the then-opposition PBS government whcih was formed after winning the 1985 election. PBS left BN in 1990, but rejoined the coalition in 2002.
Pairin, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, described the joint commitment as a good sign, and would create closer rapport between them, as well as their supporters, to show their support for the three parties.
“This existing cooperation and understanding would increase the people’s confidence, besides strengthening the BN’s position in the state, and ensure that it stays that way,” he said.
He said such collaboration is timely and appropriate to further strengthen relations between the three BN component parties.
“This is on top of efforts undertaken by the BN government and hopefully something good will come out of it.”
Dompok, who is also Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, said that the renewed commitment would bring positive impact on Upko, PBS and PBRS, as well as the other component parties, in line with the effort to serve the people.
“The development shows that the KDM-based parties in BN are able to work closely together in facing the opposition, and the voters would be able to judge by themselves who are the capable party to serve them.
“In fact, the cooperation between the three parties have long existed, but not highlighted. For instance, in the day-to-day tasks, we, the BN component party leaders would meet up and find the best solution to overcome the issues arising.
“Therefore, meetings and specific cooperation such as this would enhance the existing rapport among us in BN, and it will be all in favour of the ruling government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kurup, who is also Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister, said he had agreed to the common consensus to strengthen BN in Sabah.
“We realise that we need to work closely together, especially with the general election fast approaching, to ensure that we will be able to retain seats belonging to the three parties,” he said.