Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) will never give up when it comes to demanding Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said its Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.He said the fight for MA63 rights has been the party’s main struggle since 1985 up to this day, adding that PBS was the first political party to defend for Sabah’s rights.
He added that the MA63 struggle is enshrined in the PBS Constitution in Article 5: Purpose and Objective IV: To Protect the Rights and Interests of Sabah in the Federation of Malaysia.
“PBS is the first party to state to the Federal Government that we demand an agreement in MA63. Although we do not brag about it, but we will continue to demand this from the Federal Government.
“The Government is actively taking action to resolve MA63-related matters through action councils and certain committees of which I am one of the members,”
He said when officiating the 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PBS Bengkoka Division held at the Bongkol Community Hall here, Saturday.
Dr. Joachim, who is also Local Government and Housing Minister, is currently a permanent member of the MA63 Working Committee.
Earlier, Dr Joachim recalled the history of PBS struggles since it was established to the 240 PBS Bengkoka Division members who were present.
“PBS was established for the purpose of protecting and highlighting our rights as Sabahans and this is what we continue to do until now,” he said, adding that PBS will also continue to be a platform for the struggle for all races, ethnicities and religions in Sabah.
He also asked all members to continue giving their full focus to the mission and vision of the party’s struggle, including efforts to attract more youth and professionals to join and strengthen the party.
“In our efforts to further strengthen this party, we must avoid any disputes that could lead to division which will ultimately only harm all of us and also the party,” he said, while congratulating PBS Bengkoka Division for successfully holding the AGM.
Also present were PBS Vice President and PBS Youth Exco Head Christopher Mandut and PBS Bengkoka Division Dr Samuel Mopun.
