Joniston (left) and Joseph (middle) receiving their letters of appointment from Pairin as PBS candidates for Kiulu and Inanam respectively. Seen with them are PBS deputy presidents Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili (second right) and Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai.
PENAMPANG: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has made last minute changes to its election line up, bringing in two more new faces to replace incumbent assemblymen previously listed as candidates.
President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan yesterday announced that Datuk Joniston Bangkuai will take over the Kiulu state seat from Datuk Louis Rampas, while Joseph Paulus Lantip will be fielded in Inanam instead of Datuk Johnny Goh.
Joniston is New Straits Times Press regional editor and the president of Sabah Journalists Association while Joseph is a successful businessman from Kampung Pulutan Menggatal.
The announcement came two days after the party unveiled its initial full list of candidates on Tuesday, which saw two new faces being fielded for Sri Tanjong and Tawau.
Pairin who presented the letters of appointment and led all the other 16 PBS final candidates in an oath taking ceremony at the party’s headquarters here yesterday, said the decision was made following series of discussion with everyone involved.
“It is normal that various personalities might have the desire to be a candidate and they have their own supporters from their areas but what is important is that once the candidates have been decided, party leaders and members must give their support and cooperation in line with the party’s principle of working together as a team for the people,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that the two new faces would be able to deliver the responsibilities entrusted to them and help further strengthen the party, particularly in their respective areas.
Joniston when met latter, said being selected to contest for the party and Barisan Nasional was not an achievement to be proud of but rather a huge responsibility that he must honour.
“This is not an easy task but with the solid support from the people in Kiulu towards BN and PBS that they have shown all this while, and with the support and guidance from everyone in the coalition, I am confident we will have a huge victory,” he said.
Joniston added he was fortunate that his predecessor, incumbent assemblyman Datuk Loius Rampas has laid a solid foundation and put PBS and BN in the right direction in Kiulu.
Joseph meanwhile, said his focus as the BN representative in Inanam would be to bring about physical and economical development for the area.
“Apart from public infrastructures, I would look into finding ways to help improve the income of the local communities, and come up with a product that can be developed in the area,” he said.