Many unaware of PBS’ role in Sabah’s development — Radin
RANAU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice president Datuk Seri Panglima Radin Malleh said many people, especially the younger generation, are unaware of the history of the struggle, role and contribution of PBS in national politics and Sabah’s development.
He said many probably do not even know that PBS was only 47 days old when it managed to lead the Sabah state government in 1985 and the party has been very significant in the country’s political history, especially in Sabah.
“PBS’ struggle for democratic practices in Sabah has succeeded in opening up the minds of Sabahans on developmental issues for Sabah, Sabah’s rights and interests in the Federation of Malaysia as enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution and the 1963 Malaysia Agreement,” he said in his speech when closing the seminar on PBS Children United Leadership Academic for Ranau and Interior Zone at Biro Tata Negara (BTN) Kundasang here yesterday.
Hence, he said the organizing of this program would enhance the understanding of the younger generation, especially the PBS children on the party’s struggle in the country’s general politics and Sabah in particular.
Radin, who is also Rural Development Minister, said that the diversity of Malaysians, especially in Sabah, is an asset which is unique enabling us to meet the challenges of current and future development.
He said Barisan Nasional (BN), which was established in 1973 and officially registered in June 1974, was able to contest as a multiracial political party in the general election during the year which was well suited to Malaysia’s political landscape today.
“We are grateful that even though Sabah has more than 30 ethnic groups with different religions and cultures, they are always understanding and respectful towards each other, and can always sit together at a table anytime.
“That is why the PBS struggle for multiracial people has always been relevant to the country’s political landscape and matches the BN struggle. PBS has proven its ability to enhance the support of multiethnic groups in Sabah, including PBS’ role and contribution in continuing the BN-led government, particularly in Sabah since PBS rejoined BN on January 23, 2002.
“This shows that although the political scenario is dynamic and constantly changing, political parties like PBS will always exist, be relevant and play an important role in determining the formation of government in this country,” he said.
Radin said the people had just celebrated the 54th anniversary of the Federation of Malaysia on September 16 and during that period, the multi-racial society in Sabah had experienced and faced various challenges and changes in politics, economics, social and so on.
He said many may not know that PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan’s proposal during the BN Supreme Council meeting in 2008 had also prompted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak to declare Malaysia Day on September 16 as a public holiday when he became Prime Minister in 2009.
According to him, this is to enable all Malaysians to understand and celebrate the anniversary of Malaysia Day. This declaration is very significant and meaningful because for decades Malaysia Day was only celebrated by the people of Sabah and Sarawak alone.
He said this was evidence of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government’s solidarity to unite all Malaysians.
“During the Malaysia Day celebrations at the Likas Stadium compound on September 16, we also witnessed the Prime Minister’s commitment to respect the rights and interests of Sabah in the Federation of Malaysia.
“In this regard, PBS is always working to ensure that Sabah’s autonomous powers as prescribed in MA63 are protected and aspects of the decline in power for Sabah announced by the Prime Minister last year can be addressed as soon as possible by the federal government for Sabah’s progress.
“In fact, the Sabah State BN government has also set up a committee on the aspects of reduction in power to be submitted to the federal government’s leadership,” he said.
Through this program, Radin hopes the participants can play their role as an intermediary between the party and the people. PBS children can act as eyes, ears and mouths of PBS as well as the people’s feedback channel on issues and solutions and improvements that the PBS leadership and government service machinery can perform at a particular area.
He said that as educated people with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in higher education centers, PBS children should be wise in judging, always be rational in thinking and stay positive in their lives in order to be a catalyst for unity and the people’s support for the continuation of the PBS struggle and BN government in Sabah.
The seminar was attended by 57 participants. Also present at the event were PBS Supreme Council member and Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, PBS Supreme Council member Dr Othman Minudin, State BTN officer Mohd Kasmarzan Arshad, Special Officer of the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and seminar co-coordinator, Hendrus Anding, and Center for Development Studies and Consultancy chief executive officer and seminar cocoordinator, Philip Yaditing.