TENOM: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice president Datuk Radin Malleh has insisted that the 20 Points must not be disputed and considered a political agreement relating to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
“While opinions on the 20 Points are consistent with freedom of expression in the country, they will confuse the people and may cause anxiety among the various races especially Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said when officiating at the meet-the-people and opening of Kampung Rayoh branch PBS Annual General Meeting here recently.
He said, Malaysia which practises parliamentary democracy, every group and individual are free to express their views, but they should take into account the sensitivities of the various communities.
He said that such opinions on the 20 Points also seemed to show that many of the government policies and development programmes in the country can also be considered as political agreement.
Radin, who is also Rural Development Minister, said that opinions on the 20-Point also turned out to honor the contributions and aspirations of past leaders and the people in Sabah and Sarawak who had sacrificed their territorial independence by accepting proposals for the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
“I would like to remind PBS members that in order appreciate the party’s struggles and learn from the actions of a handful of former party members who supported the opposition in the past general election, have now regretted because Barisan Nasional (BN) still rules the country.
“As responsible members of the party, they are not only involved in the party’s activities during the party election and general elections but they must be proactive, responsible and join the party leadership in the struggle since they became members of the party,” he said.
Radin added that the government would not ignore the opposition areas in the interest of people who still support the government.
However, he said development projects to be implemented in opposition areas would be carried out according to priorities.
The Melalap assemblyman was surprised at the actions of government aid recipients such as Hardcore People Housing Program (PPRT) which had been made as opposition headquarters in the last general election.
However, he said they had now regretted their actions and support for the opposition after realizing that they were still backward and needed a variety of assistance from the BN government.
Radin also urged PBS members committed to the struggle of the party to continue to defend the various races in the state.
“The annual general meeting should be seen by all members of the party as a platform to strengthen and enhance support for the party.
“The party leadership, led by PBS President and Deputy Chief Minister cum Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan since its inception, has been emphasizing simplicity and respect for all communities in the state,” he said.
He said that if the party was focusing too much on the importance of one ethnic group and using religious practice for political survival, it would certainly affect the harmony and unity of the various races in the state.
In this regard, he urged all party members to remain united to maintain harmony and unity so that the party remains relevant in championing the rights of people of all races in the state.
Also present at the event was Political Secretary of Ministry of Infrastructure Development Stanis Baundi and Melalap Community Development Leader Simon Mamat.