PBS too proposing a power-sharing formula
Wednesday, 28 September 2005 (Source: New Strait Times)

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has proposed that all state assemblymen decide on the political appointments in their respective constituencies under a “power-sharing” formula in Sabah.

The proposal was unanimously adopted by some 600 delegates at the party’s 20th congress here yesterday, a day after PBS president Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan called for equitable power-sharing among Sabah Barisan Nasional’s nine component parties.

“We feel this approach is worth considering as it provides a more definitive approach to power-sharing among the parties,” he said.

In tabling the resolution, PBS Pitas division chief Ng Loi Tect said the formula would see 70% of political appointments in a state constituency filled by members of the party represented by the assemblymen, while the remaining 30% would be filled by those affiliated to other Barisan component parties.

Currently, Sabah Umno holds 32 of the 60 state seats, followed by PBS with 13, Upko with five, SAPP with four, Liberal Democratic Party with three, and the MCA and PBRS with one each. There is one independent representative.

Pairin, a Deputy Chief Minister, said the PBS proposal was not aimed at taking away the chief minister’s prerogative in deciding on the various political appointments.

On Saturday, PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said there was a need for a power-sharing formula in the state to ensure that coalition parties did not feel left out.

To a question, Pairin said he had no intention of stepping down as the PBS president, a post he has held for two decades.