Pairin to pass PBS mantle to a responsible person

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 27 (The Star) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has revealed that he will relinquish his position in his own time.

Pairin, the Kadazandusun paramount leader, said whoever takes over the leadership of the party he established in 25 years ago must be a responsible person.

“If that person is ready, he must have a responsible attitude,” he said when asked about his party deputy Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili’s recent statement that he would be defending the number two post for the last time in the PBS polls next year.

Pressed further about his views on Dr Ongkili's remarks, Pairin, the Deputy Chief Minister, told reporters after the State Assembly sitting here yesterday that the statement should “not be taken too seriously.”

Pairin said changes in the PBS leadership must be in accordance to the party constitution, adding that he had remained as party president since PBS’ inception in 1984 as he had been returned unopposed to the post in every party election.

“Some people may see it as not going through the process but the results were from the party delegates themselves,” he said.

On reports quoting former PBS Kiulu chief Sindin Ranggangon that the division had been dissolved, Pairin said that the move was merely a protest against him and an isolated case.

He said that Ranggangon, who quit PBS after asking Pairin to step down and make way for other leaders, had no authority to dissolve the Kiulu division.

Pairin said he was not surprised over Ranggangon’s move and him announcing his intention to join PKR.