PBS urges 70:30 formula
Wednesday, 28 September 2005 (Source: Daily Express)

PENAMPANG: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is proposing that all Barisan Nasional (BN) elected State representatives be granted full power to make political appointments in their respective constituencies on a 70:30 representation basis.

The resolution, which was passed unanimously on the last day of the party's 20th Congress at Hongkod Koisaan, here, was debated by 16 delegates. Party President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the intensity of the debate reflected the general feeling at the grassroots level.

"I think it's an approach that is worth considering as we will come to a definition and approach as far as power sharing is concerned," he said when met after the congress was adjourned at 4.45pm.

The resolution's first limb called for elected State representatives, in this case PBS, to be given full power to make political appointments in the State Government machinery, where suitable, in their respective constituencies from among members of the State BN as practised by some BN assemblymen now.

Tabled by Ng Loi Tect from Pitas division and seconded by Richard Kamtan Tuah from Sindumin division, the resolution proposed that similar authority be granted to elected representatives to give 70 per cent of the posts to PBS members and the rest to the other component parties in their respective constituencies.

This principle must also apply in all the State constituencies where PBS is not represented.

Asked whether the proposal would be viewed as taking away the Chief Minister's prerogative in making political appointments, he said when in place it would assist Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is State BN Chairman, in making decisions.

"I think the proposal should be used as a definitive guide and is not taking away his (Musa) prerogative. I'm sure this will guide him better."

In his winding up speech, Pairin who is Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Rural Development Minister said PBS thanked the BN leadership, especially the Prime Minister and Sabah Chief Minister, for giving the opportunity to the party to participate in nation-building.

"This is despite that there is still much that can be done so that the approach as reflected by the (adopted) resolution can materialise," he said.

He added it was also in line with the party's vision to see none of the rakyat in the country being sidelined from development.

Earlier in the day, delegates debating the President's policy speech and resolution had focussed on the issue of power sharing with many lamenting on the lack of representation in the grassroots level even in PBS-held areas.

"PBS has nothing, we don't even have a Senator," said a delegate from Tandek.