Maximus
scolds brother over attack on Pairin
KOTA KINABALU, November 1 (Borneo Post) -- Minister in the
Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
has described his elder brother Victor’s suggestion
that party president and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joseph
Pairin Kitingan quit politics to avoid embarrassment in
case he loses in the next election, as very much regrettable
and uncalled for.
Maximus,
who is also PBS Deputy President, said Victor should not
have said such words which were essentially attack on Pairin,
who is the Paramount Chief of the Kadazandusuns and Muruts.
“As
a younger brother I can only advise him to be sensible and
to think rationally as well as avoid being used as a stooge
of other irresponsible leaders in the oppositions,”
he said when contacted yesterday.
On
Monday, Victor and former Kiulu United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun
Murut Organisation (UPKO) deputy chief Panilau Kohong submitted
their membership forms to Tuaran Keadilan chief Ansari Abdullah
at Ansari’s office at Lintas Plaza here.
Victor
later said after 30 years in politics, “the time has
come for Pairin to give way to younger leaders”.
According
to Maximus, Victor has been in the political wilderness
for some time, being in and out of the Barisan Nasional.
He
said his elder brother had decided to join Datuk Dr Jeffrey
Kitingan in opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sabah.
“We
cannot stop him (Victor) from joining any political party
of his choice as he is old enough for himself,” said
Maximus.
Nevertheless,
he said Victor should realise that only the BN could be
depended upon to deliver socio-economic development to the
people.
He
said Victor too had benefited from development and economic
opportunities offered by the Government when the latter
was still in the BN.
“I
wish to remind him of an old political maxim espoused by
our late brother Datuk Dr James Ongkili – In politics
be watchful of what you say and always measure your words
with your political worth.
“In
my short 12 years in politics, I contested five times both
as an MP and State election candidate and won all the contests,
and I have found those words of wisdom extremely useful.
“I
wish Victor would learn from the usefulness of the said
maxim and apply it personally as political guidance and
principle,” Maximus added.
