KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan has called for a more transparent power sharing formula within Barisan Nasional (BN).
Pairin in his policy speech at the party’s 29th annual congress which was officiated by Prime Minister cum BN Chairman yesterday said that there is still room for improving the power sharing formula practiced now.
“I realize that the Prime Minister and Sabah BN Chairman have done as much as they can to ensure power sharing exists among the Coalition’s component parties in Sabah but the PBS leadership and members as well as Sabahans are still not satisfied and are of the opinion that more needs to be done.
“We need a more transparent power sharing formula in BN which also must disclose to the public. This includes political appointments, appointments of those qualified to the Board of Directors in government-linked companies.
“There must also be a correct formula for appointments in the civil service. We are not asking for what is unreasonable but what we want is only for fair representation that reflects the composition of races in Sabah,” Pairin stressed.
Pairin said that PBS realizes that it is not easy to manage the needs of political parties but they want a justified representation, equality, transparency and merit in power sharing as well as appointments as a minimum standard that needs to be implemented.
The BN component parties must not feel as if they are second class citizens, he said and expressed his confidence that the BN Chairman will re-look at the issue from all new angles so that the aspirations of the people in Sabah are fulfilled and BN can be further strengthened.
Pairin also called on the congress’ delegates to review the efforts taken to rebuild and strengthen the party, this included strengthening the party’s machinery and administration, increasing membership and providing training for new leaders.
“We must produce new leaders in order to prepare them for the power transition in the party as some of us are ready to step down when the time comes. We must do this as part of our preparation for the 14th general election,” Pairin pointed out.
On the issue of oil royalty, Pairin urged the Federal Government to set up a committee to review the royalty paid to Sabah.
He pointed out that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had, when officiating PBS’ congress in 2011 said that consideration will be given to PBS’ proposal to set up the committee.
“I do not object and in fact support all efforts that benefits Sabah and its rakyat. Increasing the oil royalty will mean better resources to develop the state. While we understand that it will not be easy for the federal government to meet the request, we feel that it is not something that is impossible.
“We are confident that the federal government will be more considerate to the request because it is not politically motivated and is solely for the development of the state and its natives. In fact seeking a higher oil royalty for Sabah is something we have been championing since the formation of PBS,” he said.
In this aspect, PBS also wants to ensure that Sabahans will enjoy direct benefits from the development of the petroleum industry not only from the income derived from the production of petroleum but also in employment and business opportunities.
Pairin said PBS does not want to see Sabahans only assuming the role as ‘kuli-kuli’ (employees) in the petroleum industry but instead be appointed to posts in the management, technical and support sectors.
With the proper training, Pairin said that he is confident Sabahans can do it and that all this can be achieved through more detailed planning and action by Petronas as well as closer cooperation with the state government.
PBS, he said also wants the Freedom of Religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution to be respected throughout the country and also that the relevant authority take deterrent action against those who threaten and insult other religions.