A common struggle: Pairin
Published on: Saturday, March 07, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said he is thankful that those who were political foes before "are now together with us to demand for the rights of Sabah". "This only goes to show that our struggle is common and, therefore, must be united and focused despite coming from various races and religions," he said. Illustrating the significance of strong unity, Pairin recalled the incident right after the 1994 state election while he was waiting in front of the Istana Negeri for 36 hours to see the Head of State (Tun Said Keruak) to be sworn in as the rightful Chief Minister based on the simple majority election result.
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The late Tun Mustapha (first appointed Governor and a former CM during Usno), upon realising the importance of all in Sabah to be united during that critical moment, was willing to sit out in the car with Pairin and waited for 36 hours."I remember this quite well. Mustapha also went to shake the locked Istana Negeri gate and asked what has happened here? Where is our democracy?" he said.The delay in being sworn in cost PBS dearly as it lost its grip on power with members defecting to the ruling coalition or forming parties that later became part of the ruling coalition.According to Pairin, enhancing unity was more important in the currently uncertain political landscape.
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"We want development, hence we have to work hand-in-hand to carry it out and avoid those negative elements," he said.Hinting of the inevitable change in leadership that would happen in PBS, he urged members to continue to uphold its original objectives and move forward.
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"In life there is a philosophy 'patah tumbuh hilang berganti' (in this context leaders come and go). This is inevitable so it's something that we must accept with an open heart."But we must not let our spirit down," said Pairin who is a Deputy Chief Minister at PBS' 30th anniversary dinner at Hakka Hall, Tanjung Lipat, Thursday. He said looking back at the party's history since its formation 30 years ago, PBS had achieved much, which he attributed to the solid unity of the leaders and people."One of the good advice we often hear is that united we stand, divided we fall. Therefore we must be united," he said, adding that 30 years was quite a long time for him."It is basically one generation. It is important that in this 30th year we be thankful to the Lord because with his blessings we are able to work and gather here together," he said. Pairin who is Huguan Siou said undoubtedly there were certain quarters who did not want to see the people continue living in peace and harmony."They wanted to break our unity, disturb and split us. Therefore it is up to all of us to think of the best way as well as to muster efforts to fight them," he said.He hoped that the experience gained in the past 30 years would become the beacon light for PBS and motivate the leaders and supporters to continue moving forward."I want to express gratitude to all leaders who come and go for their contribution to the party's development."I pray that our good cause will continue to prevail and slowly but surely we will be able to reach our party's objectives," he said.Pairin said that after 30 years PBS should open up a new chapter with the hope of achieving another 30 years of excellence."Let us continue to struggle for the common good of the people and the State," he said.Meanwhile, Secretary General, Datuk Johnny Mositun who is also the anniversary dinner organising chairman said Pairin's leadership had been proven to be natural, making him stay relevant with the people today.It was important to look back at history in order for PBS to project what is in store for the party in the future, he said.In a nutshell, Mositun who is also Deputy State Speaker said PBS became the people's movement soon after it was registered legally with the Registrar of Societies on March 5, 1985."When PBS had to hand over the State Government's administration due to the action of several senior party leaders to ditch the party at that time, PBS continued to walk forward proudly because we continued to have the support from the people behind us."If I may ask, where are those leaders who caused PBS to surrender its power now? The answer is they are now in the edge of the State's political landscape without power and position."Unlike Pairin who remains on the stage of the government," he said, adding that the struggle of Pairin and PBS was recognised when Pairin was appointed to chair the Working Committee on Foreigners in Sabah.For the future, Mositun said the recent open support by Pairin to the call for a partial autonomy to be given for Sabah showed the path that PBS is taking."We have to look at the partial autonomy concept as part of the completion of Borneonisation, 20-Points and 1963 Malaysia Agreement, which is currently being fanned by various groups outside the government."Anyone can speak about these issues, but with the voice of the president of PBS it means that it is something that is sure to become a government policy. It shows that PBS is doing something and not just giving lip service," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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