1Malaysia concept a call to unite

INANAM, August 12 (The Borneo Post) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has embraced the concept of 1Malaysia as a national strategy for nation building and to instill patriotism or love of the country, said its secretary-general Datuk Henrynus Amin.

He said the 1Malaysia concept of “people first and performance now” being advocated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is apt and consistent with PBS’ core value as a multiracial political party.

“PBS believes 1Malaysia is a call for all Malaysians to be united in their love for the country, to be united in their vision, mission and goals to bring about peace, harmony and prosperity to the country,” he said at the annual general meeting of PBS Inanam division yesterday.

The former member of parliament for Kinabalu (now Ranau) pointed out that just like the term “Merdeka means one thing to one group and different thing to another, the 1Malaysia can also mean different thing to different people.”

“But it does not mean we do not support the “Merdeka” spirit which is the basis for the formation of Malaysia.

“The Malays, Chinese, Indians and natives of Sabah and Sarawak had different expectations of Merdeka, and sometimes even conflicting expectations due to racial, religious and geographical differences, but the differences did not stop them from cooperating and working together to make Malaysia a success story as it is today.

“In the same way, 1Malaysia must be viewed as a special call for every Malaysian to love Malaysia and to be united in vision, mission and goals to bring about positive and desirable changes to the country for the better,” Henrynus said.

Henrynus meanwhile urged PBS members and supporters to support the BN government, in particular the 1Malaysia initiative to propel the country to a high income economy.

PBS, he said, will work hard to contribute to this noble vision of uniting the people of Malaysia and bringing about development to the people irrespective of race and religion.

He said PBS has no reason to doubt the noble intention of the Prime Minister to bring the country to the threshold of the high income economy in the 21st century.

“The introduction of the 1Malaysia, NKRA, NKEA, KPI, NEM and 10th Malaysia Plan are part of the Prime Minister’s national agenda to make Malaysia a developed nation by 2020,” said Henrynus.

He said PBS recognizes there are still issues yet to be resolved and these must be taken into account by the BN leadership.

However, he said PBS believes in the wisdom of the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman and the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib bin Tun Razak to look into the grouses of the people of Sabah and seek amicable solution in the spirit of co existence and close cooperation.

Henrynus urged the people of Sabah not to believe negative propaganda casting doubt on the sincerity of the BN leaders to resolve issues close to the hearts of the people of Sabah.

He said PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has been consistent in his stand on the issue of illegal immigrants, and he had in fact called for firm action by the federal government before 2012.

“There is no need to add more as Pairin’s call for time frame speaks for itself and we expect the federal government to take the leading role in appeasing public discontent,” he said.

Meanwhile, Henrynus congratulated Inanam assemblyman Johnny Goh and the entire PBS Inanam divisional leadership for their exemplary work and leadership in the Inanam constituency.

Earlier, Goh in his policy speech cited the various Government development projects being fully implemented in the Inanam area.