PM TO ATTEND PBS CONGRESS TODAY
Changing-of-guard process to be put in place, says Maximus
AVILA GERALDINE KOTA KINABALU news@nst.com.my
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to fire up Sabah’s oldest political party, Parti Bersatu Sabah, for the coming general election when he attends its annual congress here today.
The Barisan Nasional chairman will be joined by PBS founder and president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili in launching the 32nd annual congress at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association building.
Earlier this week, Maximus had said key agendas expected in the congress would be on state rights, the 2018 Budget and religious issues, along with the 14th General Election.
The congress will see the changing-of-guard process put in place as party stalwart Pairin had announced his intention to resign and that he was handing over the seat to his deputy and acting president, Maximus.
“It will be an important congress and this will be made more significant with the presence of the prime minister,” he said, adding that Pairin might also likely set the transition plan in motion during the congress.
Najib is expected to launch the sixth Pan Borneo Highway’s Sabah package at the Putatan District Council, near here.
The new work package worth RM900 million features a 19.1km stretch from Kampung Ketiau in Putatan to Inanam.
Najib is also scheduled to inspect the ongoing works for Package 5 of the Pan Borneo project, which he launched in May, at the Simpudu Bridge in Papar.
The fifth package involves a 11.7km road stretching from Papar to Donggongon.
It will feature six U-turns and a new bridge to be built over the Simpudu river.
While in Papar, Najib is expected to do a walkabout and visit a new classroom project at SK Tanaki before returning to Kuala Lumpur.