Pairin: Not The Time Yet To Retire

KOTA KINABALU, June 14 (Bernama) -- Party Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan is not ready to retire from politics.

In fact, he has expressed a passion to continue working for the people.

"I have been 'counseled' (by his supporters) that it is not time for me to retire as yet.

"I am working hard to keep myself healthy and I am still willing to work for the people," he told reporters when met upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport here today.

Pairin was asked to comment on a Bernama news report on June 12 that PBS might see some changes at its top leadership and that it was said to be preparing for a transition plan.

The 71-year-old political heavyweight, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister and minister in charge of the state's infrastructure development, said he was not surprised over recurring speculation on his retirement in the media.

"I don't know how it came about. But I have not made any public announcement," he said.

Currently, however, Pairin wants to focus on preparing for the party's future, as well as gearing up for the 13th General Election.

"We are all speculating. Just like everybody, we are speculating when the election would be, which areas we will go for...so, I guess it looks like the excitement is on," he said.

Asked if he would drop one of his two seats, Pairin said the issue had not been discussed.

Pairin is the Keningau Member of Parliament and state assemblyman for Tambunan over the past 35 years.