PBS struggle still relevant

KOTA KINABALU, March 6 (Daily Express) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said there is still a lot to be done by the party.

"We are aware that our participation in the BN has yet to bear fruitful results. However, history has proven that PBS' struggles were still relevant and close at the heart of the rakyat," he said.

He was launching the party's election management and machinery training-cum-leadership seminar for PBS Wanita and Youth in conjunction with PBS' 22nd Anniversary at Promenade Hotel, Monday.

"We are still popular among the people. The quality of leadership and leaders is also improving, so if all these are taken into account, we then have many reasons as to why we should be proud to be part of PBS, that is the oldest party in Sabah," he said.

"Our struggles in the past, now and future will remain the same. Now we are part of the State and Federal governments where our main leaders are directly involved in the administration of the Malaysian and Sabah governments."

Pairin said focus must be given towards the implementation of the various developments under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

"I have full confidence and belief that the BN will win in the next election. But, what is more important is that we implement the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) development programme properly as expected by the people," he said.

He added that even though the country upholds the democratic system, which allows anyone eligible to contest in elections, the people need to stand strong behind the present Government to ensure the success of the 9MP.

Towards this end, Pairin who is a Deputy Chief Minister, said the party leadership was gathering data to scrutinise the performance of its elected representatives.

Earlier, Pairin who is also Rural Development Minister, said the objective of PBS and BN was to secure another landslide victory in the next election.

In this respect, he urged leaders and members of PBS to continue to be with the people and listen to their problems with the view to find solutions for them.

"Every five years we will face the rakyat to get the mandate. Although the present mandate will end only in 2009, we have to be prepared from now to keep our election machinery and management updated," he said.

He said PBS' aspiration was to continue participating in nation building not only to achieve Vision 2020 but beyond it.

On PBS' 22nd anniversary, Pairin said the party has had a bitter-sweet memory during its 22 years in existence.

Among the sweet memories was winning the State general election in 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1994 as well as rejoining the BN coalition on Jan 23, 2002.