Use WhatsApp, Pairin tells PBS members
PENAMPANG: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan has called on party members to use information technology and social media to highlight issues in their respective areas to the party’s leadership.
“You can use services like WhatsApp to send photos of what is affecting your respective areas to the party’s leaders followed by suggestions on how to resolve them or requests for what is needed to address the matter,” Pairin said when winding up the PBS’ 29th annual congress yesterday.
Pairin pointed out that nowadays, people are quick to send and forward messages, photos, articles and information via social media which he felt could be put to better use.
“If we use social media like WhatsApp to highlight our problems to the relevant authorities, we can get fast feedback and solution. This is part of the party’s transformation that I would like all of you to be part of,” he said.
Touching on the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah, Pairin said that PBS had, since its inception been raising the issue to the previous Prime Ministers and federal cabinet but to no avail.
“We have been knocking on so many doors and we are grateful that the current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak opened his. We are grateful because those before him did not listen and give their attention towards solving the problem,” he stressed.
“It is with the Prime Minister’s openness to communicate that we have achieved an achievement that is based on the consensus of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties,” he added.
According to Pairin who has been appointed as Chairman of the committee to scrutinize the RCI’s report, the people in Sabah are eagerly waiting to know the contents because they want to continue with the journey towards solving the problem of illegal immigrants in the state.
“We will look at the recommendations with an open heart and we have high hopes that the recommendations will help to resolve the problem. PBS will go through the report with a fine toothed comb and make recommendations that we feel would be more effective in resolving the problem,” he said.
Pairin also added that there is no denying that Najib has shown that he is a leader who is willing to listen, discuss and accept the opinions of BN component parties like PBS.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that with the communication and feedback from the federal government, there are more opportunities for Sabahans especially when all are united in the transformation that will bring success and progress to the country.
“The best thing to do is establish an understanding so that we can strengthen our unity. We must have a commitment so that we are no longer confused and are in agreement that we are one country and we must defend our country Malaysia.
“We must have a positive attitude in this matter as the Prime Minister has given us good feedback and response,” he said.
On the issue of issuing birth certificates to stateless children, Pairin reminded the delegates that Najib has assured them this will not be done.
However, PBS will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that it is so, he pointed out.
PBS, he said, will continue to participate in the opportunities provided by the government and adopt a positive attitude as it wants to assist by contributing positive suggestions.