Stimol
KOTA KINABALU: The existence of so many splinter parties from PBS, especially those vying for the support of the Kadazan or Dusun community, is confusing the people as well as dividing them further.
While acknowledging the leaders’ desire to serve the community, they must bear in mind the origin of the struggle of the community from the very beginning as half a century has gone by without anything positive for them, said veteran politician Datuk Justine Stimol.
“In fact, the Kadazan or Dusun community is far worse off than before and the present leaders should therefore look back at the failure of the people to progress instead of creating further division among them.
“The Kadazans’ spirit of nationalism started with Donald Stephens but dwindled over the years until Ignatius Stephen Malanjum, then as Kadazan Cultural Association (KCA) secretary general, embarked on a mission to renew the spirit in the late 1970’s.
“At that time there was no one holding the name of ‘Huguan Siou’, hence there was a hassle among the various tribes to find someone who could lead them.
“Joseph Pairin Kitingan, having left Berjaya due to misunderstanding with Harris Salleh over issues on Labuan, religious conversions, and others was then courted by Kadazan leaders, especially those from Penampang, to take over the mantle as Huguan Siou and he was anointed by Bobohizans at a symbolic ceremony at Kampong Tuavon, Penampang.
“Pairin’s popularity grew overnight and with the general election just round the corner he was offered the presidency of Pasok by then President Ignatius Stephen Malanjum.
“Pasok’s support went viral but some of Pairin’s people were not comfortable with the party and submitted an application for a new one, PBS.
“PBS, with support and cooperation from Usno, defeated Berjaya in 1985 and the hope of the Kadazan and Dusun communities soared to the extent that they forgot what was essential for them,” he said.
Stimol added that PBS lost support when the Chinese, through Datuk Yong Teck Lee, left the party to form SAPP.
Thus, when the general election was held, PBS only retained the usual Kadazan/Dusun seats while the traditional Chinese seats were won by SAPP, he recalled.
Stimol said that started the fall of PBS and its eventual downfall as the government of the day due to Lajim Ukin’s defection followed by the formation of Kadazan/Dusun based parties by former PBS stalwarts Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup in PDS (Now UPKO) and PBRS leaving the Kadazan/Dusun community splintered.
He added that PBS then had only a certain number of seats to its name and there was no possibility that they could ever come back to power except of course to continue its liaison with Umno.
“Therefore it is time to take stock and evaluate the situation so that the community may come together again and to restructure and regain its rightful place in our state.
“As far as the current older leaders are concerned, they have the choice to either continue being ‘relevant’ or allow the younger stock to take over, as in the case of Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan’s retirement.
“Whatever it is, the community must be represented by leaders who have the heart for them and not those who are only interested in their personal advancement.
“A new Huguan Siou may also be necessary as Pairin may not be able to serve much longer,” Stimol concluded.