Ongkili: PBS is not for those with short-term goals
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is not a vehicle for people with the short-term goal of becoming an elected representative.
Its acting president, Datuk Seri Maximus Johnity Ongkili, said PBS, like all other political parties, also had its share of such candidates, who harboured the incurable obsession of becoming an election candidate.
However, the energy, green technology and water minister said potential candidates must first earn the respect and trust of the PBS leadership, and show that they were winnable material for Barisan Nasional.
“We have bigger goals because the party struggle is more than just being a platform for aspiring leaders who have these shortterm goals.”
Ongkili earlier attended a meeting with Liawan PBS division in Keningau. The meeting was held following the resignation of PBS Youth chief Datuk Jake Jikulin Nointin two days ago.
He gave his assurance that PBS remained steadfast in fulfilling its political struggle and objectives, adding that there had been no change of direction for the party.
Reinvention of approaches, however, were obvious, he said.
“There have been added aggression in pursuing the party’s objectives, especially in safeguarding and protecting the state’s rights, sovereignty and security, as well as ensuring balanced development between the peninsula and here, particularly the rural areas.”
He said Nointin had long confided in other division leaders that if he was not fielded as a candidate, he would leave.