Sindin gets a show-cause from PBS

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 15 (Daily Express) -- The Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) disciplinary committee has issued a show-cause letter to its Kiulu division chief Sindin Ranggangon for suggesting party president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan pass over the leadership to a new leader.

PBS Sec-Gen Datuk Radin Malleh said the committee noted that his action was not in the best interest of the party, but at the same time acknowledged his right to be heard.

He said the decision was reached at the committee's special meeting chaired by him, here Thursday.

"The show-cause letter asks why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his action which goes against the party's interest. It will be sent to him as soon as possible and Sindin will have two weeks to reply," he said.

The issue of leadership transition in PBS came to the fore recently when Sindin called on Pairin to resign as Party President, saying it was time for someone with more energy, calibre and charisma to take over the leadership.

Suggesting party Deputy President Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili was the most appropriate person, Sindin claimed that PBS was undergoing a decline as evident from the drop in the number of votes garnered by PBS candidates and the defeat of two of its candidates in the March 8 general election.

Sindin also questioned the blessing given by Pairin to the appointment of a non-PBS member in Kiulu as people's development leader (pemimpin kemajuan rakyat) as if not even one of the more than 3,000 PBS members was suitable to hold the post.

Pairin had responded by saying that "the leadership change will definitely take place at the right time but the handing-over must be done in a very cordial and democratic manner".

Meanwhile, Sindin said he would reply to the show-cause letter within the stipulated time. He reiterated his stand to stay put with the party despite his outburst in the media.