PBS memo on illegals 'nothing to do with polls'

Kota Kinabalu, April 28 (Daily Express) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is unperturbed by Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sabah's questioning of its sincerity in submitting the memorandum on Filipino refugees to the Prime Minister early this week.

Its Chief Information Officer, Johnny Mositun, said it was inaccurate for PKR Sabah deputy chief, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, to describe PBS' move as frivolous since it was a matter of importance for the benefit of Sabahans. "It has nothing to do with the election. Whether it (the election) is held, today or yesterday, we will still bring it to the Prime Minister," he said in response to Jeffrey's remarks.

Mositun also questioned Jeffrey's contention on the downfall of PBS in 1994. He said Jeffrey should be asking PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the former Deputy Prime Minister, about what really happened. He said PBS has been consistent in working towards finding the solution to the illegal immigrant and Project IC problem since Day One.

"He (Jeffrey) should ask what he had done about the issue when he was in the Barisan Nasional (BN)," he said, adding that PBS handed the memorandum to provide the Prime Minister a clearer picture and as a follow up.

"Meeting the top BN leader is part and parcel of the coalition's solidarity spirit embraced by PBS. We met him to further strengthen ties and discuss the current political scenario, especially in Sabah," he said. Top leaders of PBS led by President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Wednesday in Putrajaya. Mositun said PBS held the opinion that the Federal Government was taking action on the matter.

"We are taking steps that at the end of the day, it would benefit Malaysians in Sabah and the State," he said.