PBS Sacks 14 Leaders For Contesting Against BN
Friday, 11 June 2004 (Source: Bernama)

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has sacked for life 14 leaders including a vice-president, an assistant secretary-general and three supreme council members for breaching party discipline by contesting against the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the last general election.

PBS President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the move was in line with the recommendation by the party's disciplinary committee.

"We have stated during the last general election that party members who go against the BN will automatically lose their membership in the party. Today we are carrying out the decision," he told reporters after chairing the party's supreme council meeting at the party's headquarters in Donggongon, near here.

Those who were sacked were Assistant Secretary-General Datuk Kong Hong Ming, vice-president Yunof Maringking, supreme council members Latip Taha, Janimin Saliun and Karim Adam, ordinary members Gabriel Uwing, Martin Tommy, Paul Kadau, Ribus Tingadon, Ahmad Awang, Joe Sulaiman, Fabian Annuar Mail, Hassan Malempeng and Razak Rakunman.

All of them had contested as independent candidates in the election. Yunof, Kong and Razak had however resigned from the PBS prior to contesting in the election.

"This means that they had lost party membership and according to the BN principle, they will not be accepted back into any BN component party," he said.

Pairin also said that Kadamaian Assemblyman Herbert Timbon Lagadan would perform the duties of vice-president following the sacking of Yunof.

Two assembly members Jornah Mozihim and Dr Joachim Gunsalam who won in Matunggong and Kundasang respectively in the March election, had also been appointed as supreme council members.

He said that the party was also sending show-cause letters to party members who were found to have proposed or seconded independent candidates.

"I would like to remind all that discipline is an important aspect in a party, more so in the context of unity and the common struggle. That is why we need to take the necessary action to enhance confidence in the PBS as a BN member," he said.