PBS WANTS SEPANGGAR SEAT

SEPANGGAR: President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has confirmed that Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has officially bid for the vacant Sepanggar MP seat in the 13th General Election.

"I have submitted PBS' application for Sepanggar," he said to applause from the PBS Karambunai delegates at the division's annual meeting at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP), Sunday.

He said the seat was considered open for all after its incumbent (Datuk Eric Majimbun) left the Barisan Nasional (BN) together with Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) in September 2008.

According to Pairin, there must be a balance in the distribution of seats among the BN component parties. "One party cannot take everything," he said.

"This is an open seat (as) others are claiming for it we also bid for it," he said. However, Pairin who is also a Deputy Chief Minister-cum- Infrastructure Development Minister, said PBS Karambunai members need to show their commitment and strong will to serve the people here in order to back up the party's bid.

"If we show strong spirit our bid for the Sepanggar seat will be stronger and if this is the case I am more than ready to state our case to the top leadership.

"But I really hope that it will be backed up by your strong support and unity. There is so many things that we can do if we are united," he said.

As for PBS likely candidate, Pairin said the name would be announced after the Sepanggar seat is allocated to the party.

He called on party members not to think so much about his statement in the newspapers that the 13th General Election would be his last.

"It is something that we need to say as part of our planning.

I was asked by the reporters how far would I go and whether I will also contest in the 14th General Election, so of course I answered, no.

"But, this is something that should not make us feel uneasy or alarmed because we need to have a plan for the future," he said, adding that it was also the reason he had stressed while officiating at PBS Inanam AGM earlier on the importance of encouraging the younger generation to take part in PBS' struggle.

Pairin said it was important for BN to be given the mandate to continue governing the country in order for continuity of all the development programmes for the people.

He urged PBS Karambunai members to hold steadfast to the original struggle and principle of the party when it was formed in 1985.

"We are also thankful that we have a leader who understands us in Sabah in the name of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

I have said before that he is a political doctor.

"He conducts "medical" check ups and prescribed the medicine (for Sabah's ailment) that include addressing the illegal immigrant problem," he said.

Pairin reiterated the call for the people not to be hoodwinked and influenced by the trickery and promises made by the opposition, Pakatan Rakyat.

Nonetheless, he was confident that the people now have the wisdom in assessing the political scenario and the fact that the opposition was prepared to make whatever promises, even those they cannot keep, just to realise their personal agenda.

Earlier, at the Menggatal Community Centre, Pairin said the people's support to the present government continued to grow due to the BN's strong concern for Sabah and Najib's credibility as the nation's top leader.

He said this was due to among others the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to address the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah, appointment of locals to head Federal departments and agencies as well as the Federal's acknowledgement to make Sept. 16 as Malaysia Day.

"All these are proof that the BN government is always listening, sensitive and making efforts to fulfil all the requests from the people.

"The Prime Minister always encourage people of Sabah to lead the Federal departments in the state.

This proves just how open is our Prime Minister," he said.