PBS big hypocrite on Manila’s claim to Sabah – Siambun

KOTA KINABALU: Moyog assemblyman Terrence Siambun said he is amused and puzzled over the statement issued by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary general Datuk Johnny Mositun relating to Manila's claim on Sabah.

“I have no idea why Mositun suddenly reprimanded me on this issue since I have never spoken anything about it nor have I criticised Foreign Minister, (Datuk) Anifah Aman, on the matter.

“I assume that Mositun is trying to get my attention and comment on this, so if he is asking what I think about it, then I will say that PBS is the big hypocrite on this issue,” he said.

As PBS secretary general, Siambun said Mositun should remember that the Manila claim had been one of the core issues which PBS highlighted to the Federal Government in the early 90s.

“Being a senior PBS leader, Mositun will know that on 3 January 1991 and during the Dewan Rakyat session in Parliament, its member of parliament, Maidom Pansai, had spoken at great lengths about the Manila claim,” Siambun said.

In his speech, Pansai had demanded the Federal government to settle the long outstanding claim by Manila, because the claim, in one way or another, is the reason why hundreds of thousands of immigrants from the Southern Philippines have entered the State illegally.

“The Manila claim had been one of PBS' core struggles in the 90s when the party was strong and Warisan's stand on this issue is almost similar to the one adopted by PBS in 1991. I now ask Mositun “what has happened to PBS today?”

Siambun also advised Mositun to stop blaming everyone if he really wants to bring back the spirit of PBS of the 90s.

“It is very easy for Mositun to blame everyone when his party is facing a loss of confidence from its own grassroots leaders and members.

“The reality is, PBS had been given a chance to prove itself since 2001 when the party opted to rejoin Mahathir (Mohamad) and BN,” said Siambun.