Former PBRS sec-gen and leaders join Upko

KOTA KINABALU: State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Johnson Tee and five Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) divisional chairmen are joining United Pasokmomogum Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko).

Johnson, who was secretarygeneral of PBRS before he quit the party, yesterday said he and five former divisional chairmen, Handry Luaran (Tamparuli), Suhardi Suyatin (Sukaman), Doison Dansi (Tandek), Ukoh Jeremy Majalad (Tempasuk) and Paiman @ Nordin Galimbu (Kundasang) would be joining Upko, which had quit the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

Also joining Upko, headed by acting president Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, are other former PBRS divisional committee members, including the Youth and Women movements as well as other PBRS members in their respective divisions.

Johnson said their decision was made in the best interest of the KDMR (KadazanDusunMurut and Rungus) community.

“For the sake of achieving full KDMR unity with political will and under one political entity, we have decided that Upko would be the party that we should join.

“I therefore call upon leaders and members of the KDMR community, especially those who are still in PBRS to join us in our quest for KDMR unity and to join Upko,” he said, adding that they had been subjected to a divide and rule tactic in the previous administration.

Johnson opined that now was the time under this new government for the KDMR communities to unite and be empowered through our participation in Upko.

It is learnt that several more defections from PBRS are expected.

However, Johnson reiterated that he had not influenced them to leave PBRS but they left on their own accord and, thereafter, decided to join Upko, the party that could help the KDMR community.