PBS wants more Sabah parliamentary seats

PENAMPANG, Sept 6 (The Borneo Post) -- Party Bersatu Sabah (PBS) urged the federal government and the Election Commission (EC) to consider creating more parliamentary seats in Sabah when reviewing the electoral boundary in the re-delineation exercise next year.

Its chief information officer Johnny Mositun said this is in order to create a more balanced representation in parliament, proportionate to the ratio of members of parliament (MPs) from west Malaysia.

“Sabah should get at least 10 new parliamentary seats as well as more Sabah seats proportionately.

“Sabah’s voice will be heard louder in parliament with more MPs representing the people to forward their grouses,” he said at the party’s annual general meeting (AGM) held at the residence of PBS Moyog chief, John Criso Masabal, in Kampung Kolopis, Penampang here yesterday.

Also present were Masabal and other division leaders.

Mositun, who is also a deputy speaker at the state assembly, said party president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan’s advice to other Barisan Nasional (BN) component members to refrain from making comments that goes against Sabahans’ interest and create unnecessary fear was most welcome.

“We fully support the president, including that the present status quo must be maintained. Everyone have the right to their views … but our stand is that it is important for us to prioritise the locals first as we are lacking in opportunities. We still demand what is right for the people of Sabah,” he said. He also called on party members and supporters in Moyog to remain steadfast with the PBS and the struggles of BN.

“At the moment, we do not have an elected representative here but I’m sure the present representative will be more than willing to assist PBS in Moyog,” he said.

He said the people must reject the opposition leaders because it is clear that “they like to switch houses just because they want to have a seat in the house.”

“They are ready to switch sides anytime they like just because they want to contest in the election. There is no need to look far to see, just look at Papar and Penampang.

“The opposition also likes to cheat people and keep them guessing, just like the September 16 claim that they will form the government - and they had been proven to be just daydreaming,” he said.

Mositun nonetheless advised PBS members and supporters to remain humble and loyal to BN.