Maximus
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is happy with the relationship and cooperation it has with its political partners in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
PBS president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili said that it is necessary to build the trust and good relationship with other component members of GRS and PN.
He also said that GRS and PN have given a huge space for PBS to contribute to the administration and management of the country and state, and PBS’ contribution is acknowledged and appreciated by the leaderships of parties at State and national levels.
“PBS will preserve this stance and status until there is a need for a revaluation to strengthen the party’s position at both state and federal levels. PBS pledges to be faithful and to continue supporting and working with the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima
Hajiji Mohd Noor. We also pray to the powerful God to continue guiding our two leaders and to grant them wisdom and good health so that they can continue fulfilling their duties to the people,” said Maximus in his opening speech at the party’s 35th annual delegates conference on Thursday.
Maximus explained during a virtual press conference later that PBS is comfortable with its present position since GRS and PN respected the position of the party and have acknowledged PBS’ position.
In his opening speech, Maximus also said that PBS had continued to fight for the rights of Sabah as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“For 36 years, the people of Sabah have gotten to know the party. Perhaps some have become bored; perhaps they have become tired after incessantly hearing the stance and values of the party, but these are matters that mirror the party’s constitution. This is what the party holds on to ever since the founder of the party, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan established PBS,” he said.
He added that PBS continues to fight for the state’s rights, the war against the presence of illegal immigrants and the unity of all races.
Maximus also said that one of the main challenges facing PBS is to ensure it remains relevant in the future.
“We have to admit and believe that we are now in the ‘new norm’ which covers digital business and ICT issues. Everything is at the tip of one’s finger. Online business is spreading and those who do not adopt this will be left behind. Even our children have to study online since Covid-19 has stopped them from studying at schools,” he said.
He reminded that the party can be promoted online, share its aspirations and views on various issues such as the environment, development and world destruction and reach out to a wider audience.
Maximus also shared that PBS has also established its own Belia and Beliawanis Bersatu Movements (PBBB) to welcome youths who are 18 years old to join the party.
“As one of the oldest local parties in Sabah, PBS has long been termed as a senior citizen party, but the involvement of youths can change the perception. PBS is an experienced party and has the capability to be excellent. PBS accepts youths with open arms because as a multi-racial party, PBS is a home to all people,” he said.
“We need to prepare a space for the young to voice out their opinion, share their views and play their role in developing the country.
He added that if the party is promoted to the younger group now, it will not face any problems to get their support when the time comes for an election.
Maximus also said that any party that thinks it has the majority to change the government during the pandemic has no concern for the country.
“I think you are irresponsible, and you are entirely without concern for the country,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said that from his own observation, even opposition leaders such as Lim Guan Eng, Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have voiced out the importance of stability and the need to get over Covid-19 and get the economy back on track.
“And I don’t think the crowd on the ground are keen on sorting out who has the majority when there are 5,738 infections today,” he said.
“People are more concerned about ridding the Covid rather than the next government with majority,” he said.