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Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan will defend his post if he receives nominations from delegates during the party's annual delegates conference at the end of this year.However, he said he has not seen the nomination papers and "I have yet not thought about the party election".

"But, if there is an election we will let the delegates decide and if I am nominated I will readily accept. As long as I have not announced my retirement I will continue providing my service to the people," he said.

Speaking at his 69th birthday celebration at Magellan Sutera Harbour, Thursday, he also hoped PBS would be able to play its role and contribute to the well-being of the people.

"PBS is struggling for the things that are needed by everyone," he said, adding that the power transition between Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had resulted in a new approach and focus, which is very similar to the struggle of PBS.

"Actually the meaning of the slogan (1Malaysia) is what PBS has been working on since the very beginning. That is why PBS was registered as a multi-racial party in line with the Malaysian community background," he said.

Only that he said the Prime Minister had given new emphasis on the slogan and directly renewed the hope of Malaysians, particularly in Sabah.

He added that the 1Malaysia-People First, Performance Now concept is not easy to achieve since it needed the concerted support of the people.

"It is only apt for the people to support this because it is what we have been waiting for," he said.

Pairin who is also a Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Infrastructure Development Minister whose birthday was on Aug 17 expressed gratitude to the members of PBS and its supreme council members for their continuous support.