Pairin wants successor to continue PBS’ original struggle

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TENOM: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has dropped a hint that he is going to retire soon.

The veteran politician, who has led PBS for nearly 30 years, told reporters after officiating the annual general meeting of PBS Melalap division on Saturday that his successor should continue the original struggle and traditions of the party after he has retired from politics.

“When I retire from the political arena someday, I want my successor to continue to be committed to the original struggle of PBS,” he said.

He reminded the members of the party who were appointed to the highest positions in the party that they will have to prioritize unity and interests of the party and the people.

Pairin said the struggle for the interests of the party and the people should be a priority and not to boast and be proud when they assumed office.

“The question of who is replacing me is not so important but the party struggle in defending the fate and welfare of the people in this state should be given precedence.

“The focus and agenda of PBS in advancing and defending the rights of citizens of this state should be given priority because it is the original struggle of the party which was established 29 years ago in the state,” he said.

Touching on who would be his successor, Pairin said he would only disclose the person when the time comes.

He said that the second and third line of leaders in the party must be sensitive to the current situation and find appropriate approaches for the party struggles so that it would continue to be relevant.

“The party members also need to be creative, committed and proactive in carrying out their duties, especially in conveying the party policies to the people, especially the members of the party.

“Do not make the party as a springboard to boast, which can affect the image and tarnish the good name of the party,” he said.

Besides that, he said the spirit of unity and cooperation should be strengthened among party members so that PBS continued to gain ground in the hearts of the people and respected by their counterparts in other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties.

“I believe that in the absence of unity and respect in the PBS family, the party will not succeed in its mission and vision to continue the struggle to defend the fate and future of the people of the state,” he said.

In another development, Pairin, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister and Infrastructure Development Minister, asked all levels of society regardless of ethnicity and religion to continue to pursue the government’s role in helping to ease the people’s burden.

He said without the support and cooperation of the people, the plans by the government will not materialize.

“The people need to understand the government’s policy in order not to get the wrong perception, especially in the government efforts to provide aid and comfort to ease the burden and quality of life of the people in the rural areas,” he said.

He said the government is committed to its responsibility to develop people, not only in the delivery but in the form of infrastructure facilities to raise their standards of living and socio-economic development so that they also developed along with a developed nation by the year 2020.

Also present at the meeting were the PBS Melalap head and Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Malleh, members of Central PBS Supreme Council, PBS leaders from other divisions of the state and Melalap, including the Youth and Wanita movements.