PBS wants bigger role in Labuan

LABUAN, August 20 (Daily Express) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) wants more of its members appointed into government bodies and posts such as local councils, native courts, government-linked companies, ketua kampungs and even political secretaries.

Officiating at the opening of the 4th Annual General Meeting of the PBS Division here, its Secretary-General, Datuk Radin Malleh, said:

"Wherever we go to open a function like this, there are members asking for more opportunities in order to play a more useful and meaningful role in the community, and the opportunities should be provided in line with the power-sharing concept of the Barisan Nasional (BN)."

In the case of Labuan for example, he said a PBS representative should be appointed into the Advisory Council of Labuan Corporation, since PBS, established on the island in 1986, was "holding its 16th AGM and not the 4th as erroneously thought."

Presently the Advisory Council has six members and a chairman. They are appointed on a three-year term and the members were mostly drawn from Umno, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and MCA. Clamour for representation in the Council has been made since the last elections but the status quo of the Council remains unchanged.

Radin, who is also Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, said PBS had ruled Sabah from 1985 to 1994 and remained a "force to be reckoned with."

He claimed that support for PBS was "strong" and in accordance to its political structure, would continue to request for a bigger role in the administration through the BN.

He said apart from PBS, the only other party that had ruled Sabah by itself was Berjaya and Usno with the combination of Sabah Chinese Party.

Regarding Malaysia Day falling on August 31, Radin said while this should be celebrated by all Malaysians, "those in this part of the country should not forget that it was an indelible historical fact that Sabah, including Labuan, had their independence on September 16. And this day should also be remembered and should not be allowed to be obscured by the passage of time."

Radin also spoke on the importance of preserving unity and harmony in the country through co-operation and understanding of various cultures and races.

He urged the PBS division to manage its affairs efficiently and to recruit more members "so that all could shoulder their responsibilities and duties." The PBS Division has 12 branches with 2,000 members.