FOUR PBS BRANCHES NOT DISSOLVED

KOTA KINABALU : Matunggong Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) divisional chief Sarapin Magana has denied that the four party branches in Matunggong have been dissolved.

He said the four branches at Kg. Inukiran, Kg. Tinukadan, Kg. Lompozou and Kg.Penampang are still intact although three heads of the branches have left and joined Pakatan Rakyat (PR) through Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

He said Marajam Sidin who claimed to be the head of PBS branch Kg. Lompozou is only an ordinary member in the branch as Jendah Mangantad is the head of the branch.

"The four branches are still intact and it is only the presumption of those three heads of the party branches that the four branches have dissolved.

"In fact, majority of the members including the main committee members are still supporting the party and only the three heads of the branches - Yasungki Taboh, Yawasang Kuhing and Masiung Mubin, and one Marajam left the party," he said, here, Monday.

Sarapin, who is also the incumbent Matunggong assemblyman, said this to Daily Express in response to a Monday report that four PBS branches in Matunggong were dissolved on Saturday, with their leaders citing loss of confidence in the party's leadership.

Sarapin said the concerned three heads of the party branches failed to hold annual general meetings in their respective areas last year which showed they did not have commitment.

"These leaders who left the branches are acting emotionally and based on personal interest without thinking of the consequences and continuation of the party especially Masiung Mubin who was among the recipients of a longhouse in Kg.Penampang.

"I am disappointed with his action because he should be grateful that his need to be a recipient of the longhouse was fulfilled. I also do not know his real motive in leaving the party branch in Kg. Penampang," he said.

On Jornah Mozihim's move to join the opposition, Sarapin said it is not a big loss to the party.

He said the former Matunggong assemblywoman should be grateful as the central party leadership had appreciated her by being appointed as the Political Secretary of the Community Development and Consumer Affairs Ministry when she was not renominated to be candidate in the 2008 General Election.

"It was a first time in Matunggong that any former elected people representative had ever been given the Political Secretary post.

"Jornah should be proud and take pride in that. In fact, I was made to understand that the party central leadership had assured that Jornah's post would be retained during the party's meeting before making the announcement of the candidates for the party," he said. (DE)