Sabah leaders show the way

KOTA KINABALU, December 27 (The Star) -- Putting aside their old political rivalry, three Barisan Nasional leaders set the tone for unity as Sabahans celebrated Christmas. 

The three politicians – Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Datuk Yong Teck Lee – shared light moments at the Parti Bersatu Sabah Christmas open house at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association hall in Penampang.  

Pairin, the PBS president, Dompok, who is United Pasok Kadazandusun Momogan Organisation (Upko) president and Yong, the Sabah Progressive Party president, were all comrades when PBS ruled Sabah for 10 years until 1994. 

Former deputy prime minister and current Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was said to have been instrumental in the PBS collapse.

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES: (From left) Pairin, Dompok and Yong chatting like old friends during the PBS Christmas open house near Kota Kinabalu.

Although they went their different ways, Pairin, Dompok and Yong came back as partners in the national front when the Umno-led Barisan took over the reigns of the state government. 

Until it returned to the ruling coalition in 2002, PBS was in the opposition camp. 

The chuckles and chatter of the three leaders highlighted the mood of Christmas in the state, when Sabahans led by Yang Di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah turned up at open houses.  

Dompok, who is a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, and church leaders also hosted Christmas get-togethers.  

“This is the time for everyone, regardless of ethnic and religious background, to greet and forgive each other,” said Pairin, who is Deputy Chief Minister. 

Also present at the PBS open house was Pairin's younger brother Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is now with the PKR. 

Speaking to reporters later, Pairin accused Anwar of causing Sabah's backwardness. 

“Anwar, as the then finance minister, had allocated only minute funds for Sabah, creating an imbalance between it and other states. 

Pairin praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for addressing the problem by giving large amounts to the bridge the gap.