Start afresh with Pairin, Dompok told
Tuesday, 25 May 2004 (Source: Daily Express)

KOTA MARUDU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Deputy President Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili has urged Tan Sri Bernard Dompok to again work hand-in-hand with PBS President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan for the betterment of the Kadazandusun- Murut community.

Maximus said Dompok, who is the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) President, should leave past political stories behind and start afresh with Pairin.

“Tan Sri Dompok, it may be best to leave half-truth political stories of the past behind and start afresh by working hand in hand again with Huguan Siou Datuk Pairin and other credible leaders of the community to chart a road map of the socio-economic development of the community for the new millennium,” he said.

Speaking at the Tadau Kaamatan or Harvest Festival organised by the Sabah United Kimaragang Association in Kampung Tingkalanon here Monday, Maximus said the Kadazandusun leaders must concentrate on matters that could bind them together.

“I call on Kadazandusun and Murut political leaders, including myself, to swallow our pride, concentrate on matters and concerns that can bond us together and give full support to the Huguan Siou as the paramount leader of the community,” he said.

Maximus was responding to Dompok’s speech in Penampang on Sunday expressing unhappiness over Pairin’s response to Upko’s call that the PBS President head a special body to unite the leaders of the community.

Pairin had said other leaders of the community should do soul-searching on the Kadazandusun unity. Pairin also asked why leaders like Dompok left the PBS (in 1994) at a time when the Kadazandusun Murut unity was at its peak.

Dompok, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said his conscience was clear in forming Upko, then known as Parti Demokratik Sabah, saying the action was based on a consensus by PBS leaders at that time, including Pairin.

However, Maximus said: “For the record again, the so-called consensus was superseded by the consensus of an early morning meeting on March 16, 1994 attended by Dompok and (Upko Vice-President) Datuk Wilfred Bumburing and other senior PBS leaders at that time.

“The final resolution was to stay put in PBS and use the party as a communication bridge to the Barisan Nasional and the Federal Government,” he said.

“Those of us who stayed on to heed the advice of Datuk Pairin and reconstructed the party, have proven that there was no need to leave nor form a new party or parties to be readmitted to the BN. This is now history which can give us much needed counsel and guidance for the future,” said Maximus, who is Kota Marudu MP and Tandek Assemblyman.

Maximus said cultural unity among the Kadazandusun-Murut community remained strong as reflected by harmonious and joyous celebrations of the Tadau Kaamatan now going on throughout the State.

“The political grassroots of the community are united under the BN as proven during the recent elections. Minor political skirmishes do occur at leaders’ level but this is because some want to become chiefs ahead of their time and without the required soldiers,” he said.

Unity cannot be taken for granted because it was not automatic but something to be nurtured, worked co-operatively and guarded jealously.

“Unity as a goal can only be achieved if there is spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and sincerity, especially among proponents of unity,” he added.