Be grateful to country’s leadership – Pairin

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TENOM: The people, supporters and members of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) should be grateful to the leadership of the country which always gives due consideration to suggestions from the party that it struggles over the years.

PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said these included the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants in Sabah as well as celebrating Malaysia Day on September 16 every year as a public holiday.

“In addition, the establishment of two new detention centers for illegal immigrants in Sabah proves the commitment of the Federal government to resolve issues related to immigrants in the country,” he said when opening the PBS Melalap Annual General Meeting at Kampung Makakumpai,  here on Friday.

He stressed that the state government had also rejected the proposed inclusion of the Bangladeshi workers to the state.

Similarly, said the Deputy Chief Minister the powers of immigration had already been returned to the state to ensure the success of the state to control security in Sabah.

Pairin said all decisions and actions were for the benefit of the people and the future of the state.

“This action is the result of cooperation and good understanding between the leadership of Federal and State governments.

“While the proposed re-registration of indigenous people of Sabah will also be listed in the inventory report of the working committee and will be submitted to the RCI main committee later, we thank the Prime Minister for approving the Pan-Borneo Highway Project which will provide opportunities for local contractors in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Similarly, the approval of the government’s application to resolve the issue of appointment of teachers to teach in the state is a good development. The people in Sabah should be wise in evaluating the sincerity of the government in this matter, and not solely influenced by propaganda by the opposition,” said the Minister of Infrastructure Development.

He said PBS was committed to defending religious freedom as enshrined in the Malaysia Constitution as well as those disclosed in the Oath Stone in conjunction with the formation of Malaysia.

He said that there were people who did not fully understand about religious freedom.

“People in Sabah indeed have freedom of religion, including that relating to the use of the word of Allah, but there are people who do not respect this.”

Pairin said, if there were people who would do things contrary to religious freedom, calling for police reports to prove the validity of the claims and allegations, submit a police report to him for further action.

“In fact, the state government provisions to religious bodies such as churches and temples also prove religious understanding among multiracial people in the state.

“These efforts also made Sabah as an example of understanding the practice of religious freedom in the country.

He also congratulated Melalap PBS that remains loyal to the party’s struggle.

All members of the party in Melalap are also very fortunate to have the division head, Datuk Radin Malleh who was committed and with experienced in tackling the many challenges and fully  mature with the party’s struggles.

He was always going to the ground to serve the people, Pairin added.

He said Radin’s experience and service as an elected representative were still required by the party and wished he would continue his service in the interest of the people in Melalap.

“We must remain united and work together to strengthen the party and our party machinery. The party leadership is always open to suggestions from party members to enhance and strengthen the party’s struggle,” he added.

At the event, Pairin also received 529 new membership forms from 19 PBS branches in Melalap constituency.

Also present was Pairin’s wife, Puan Sri Genevieve Kitingan, PBS vice president and Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Malleh and his wife Datin Angeline Tom, PBS Supreme Council members and Melalap party leaders and delegates.