Share power with others in Umno-controlled areas

PAPAR, April 30 (Daily Express) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) attributed the Barisan Nasional (BN) power sharing concept to the strong unity among the multi-racial people that has been proven once again in the Ijok by-election.

"The Ijok by-election is a classic example of the BN power sharing and consensus concept where the candidate chosen by the top leadership to represent the Malay-dominated constituents was from the minority Indian community," said PBS Chief Information Officer, Johnny Mositun.

Speaking at the PBS Pantai Manis annual general meeting at Kampung Surapit, here Sunday, Mositun who is also the division chief said he had together with other PBS leadership lend a hand in the BN's campaign in Ijok and personally saw how the coalition's power sharing concept was able to bring the people of different ethnics closer.

BN candidate from MIC, K. Parthiban defeated the Parti Keadilan Rakyat candidate, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim by a 1,850 majority on Saturday to retain the Ijok State seat in Selangor that was vacated following the death of its assemblyman, Datuk K. Sivalingam.

Mositun said PBS actually never have had the opportunity to experience power sharing before since the party had governed the State "alone" during its era.

"And now when we are back in the BN, we can see the coalition giving opportunity to a leader to represent the people in the constituency where his community is not the majority," he said.

In this respect, he said from Papar up to Sipitang PBS was considered a minority because constituencies in these areas were represented by Umno leaders.

Under these circumstances, he said perhaps it would be wise that "at least one or two" appointments be considered for other component parties in the constituencies in respect of the power sharing concept emulating the BN top leadership spirit in Ijok.

Also, he said there was still no indication of component parties like PBS can have any say on the distribution of the development fund allocation by the respective elected representatives.

"I urge members in Pantai Manis to be patient on this," he said, adding that PBS was still waiting for a piece of the cake from the elected representatives' fund.

Nonetheless, he called on the PBS members to render their cooperation to other component parties because "we always believe that whatever problem can be resolved by the leadership through roundtable discussion".

On the statement by opposition, Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sabah deputy chief, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on their intention to bring the problem of the issuance of ICs to illegal immigrants in Sabah to the courts, Mositun welcomed their move since the matter need action from all.

Noting that the matter had been stated many times by Dr Jeffrey, he said it is the concerned of everyone in Sabah not only Keadilan as even NGOs like Cash, which should be concentrating on consumerism making statements on it.

"We welcome any move that leads to the solution or heading towards finding effective solution because it is the concern of everyone," he said.

Meanwhile, Mositun urged the authorities to look into the reports received by PBS that many Pakistanis were conducting illegal money lending activities in the district.

"We have received reports that the Pakistanis have become Along in Papar market. They are seen moving high and low carrying the "555" books containing names of debtors and they are believed to be collecting the instalment of the debts on a daily basis," he said.

Also in attendance were PBS vice president, Rakam Sijim who chaired the meeting, Kawang division chief, Mecharle M. Dibang, Kiulu division chief, Sindin Ranggangon and central Youth assistant secretary, Hock Sing Kilin.

Delegates at the AGM later gave Mositun a surprise 50th birthday party.