Pairin still young at heart: Max

MELALAP, Aug 11 (Daily Express) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Deputy President Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said there is no need for an early leadership transition since party President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan continued to be the pillar of strength of the party.

He said the Huguan Siou (KDM paramount leader) should be allowed to complete rebuilding work of the party.

Closing the Melalap 23rd division annual general meeting, here, Ongkili said PBS was a stable party and no one was in a hurry for a leadership transition, except for disgruntled Kiulu divisional chief Sindin Ranggangon.

He said Pairin is still physically strong and young at heart. "So, let him complete the rebuilding process of PBS before other leaders think about leadership transition. He knows what to do and there is no need to disturb him.

"We should instead give him full support and play our respective roles in strengthening the party," he said. Ongkili who is Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said there were capable leaders in PBS to be considered as possible successors when the time comes for Pairin to hand over the reins.

He said the Group of 1994 who invested time and energy to help Pairin rebuild PBS is a solid team. The two other deputy presidents Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai and Datuk Pengiran AK Aliuddin, Ongkili said were also good leaders.

On the KDM side, he said, Datuk Seri Michael Asang and Datuk Radin Malleh had also proven their worth as dedicated veterans.

"So, it doesn't have to be Max Ongkili. In fact I am already preparing for a smooth handover of leadership in Tandek division and Kota Marudu constituency in the next five years," he said.

However, he said he would be defending the post of deputy president in the PBS elections next year as well as serve his final term.

Ongkili hoped his clarification on the matter would enhance stability in PBS and end speculations regarding leadership succession.

He said the immediate task was to strengthen the party and position it as a key partner in Sabah Barisan Nasional's (BN) noble blueprint to fully develop the state in line with Vision 2020.

On his immediate goal, he said it was to help the PBS identify and train new leaders who would continue the struggle and institutionalise the party as the number one multiracial party in Sabah and Sarawak.