Heads we win, tails you lose

Opposition-held constituency in Sabah struggles to attract development funds from a government; voters punished for exercising their right to pick their own representative
KOTA KINABALU: The ugliness of Sabah politics is on display in the state constituency of Inanam. Infrastructure development in the scrappy little town in the suburbs of the city has come to a standstill and mutters of irritation can be heard less than a year since the elections.
Will it grow as time passes? The next general election is a long way off and barring an unforeseen event, time can only get tougher from the constituents’ point of view.
It’s been this way ever since the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition lost the mixed-community state seat to the opposition in last year’s general election.
In the neighbouring Karambunai constituency, by contrast, development funds are being shovelled in as fast as those running the show can consume it.
Holding voters to ransom if they do not kowtow to the government of the day, is a time-worn and threadbare method of voter enforcement that continues without so much as anyone questioning why is this happening in this day and age.
“We are all paying our taxes … we are contributing. How can they just hold up or “kasih putus (cut) development here,” asked Jinin, a resident of Inanam who has lived here since the 1950s when the town was just a row of wooden shops with a single-pump gas station in one corner.
“Look at the place now. It’s like there has been no planning since then.”
Jinin is referring to the chaotic development that was allowed to take place that has led to Inanam town losing its old charm after becoming increasingly congested, ugly and dirty with overflowing or clogged drains, leaking sewage pipes, broken pavements and litter, the curse of every Sabah town.
But it’s not just the town areas that are in need of development funds. The people in the kampongs have also been left out since since PBS lost the constituency to the opposition.
To be fair, development was not satisfactory even before when the ruling coalition was in control in the constituency, but the situation has become worse with the opposition PKR assemblyman Dr Roland Chia Ming Shen struggling to cope with even less help from the state government.
He’s concerned that his constituency is being sidelined simply to show the opposition is incapable of doing much and as a punishment for voters who dared to elect an opposition candidate to represent them in the state legislative assembly.
It’s not that Chia’s isn’t qualified to do job, but there’s little he can do if the government is adamant that his constituency does not get government funding for projects.
Since the general elections last year, has drifted into a state of development limbo. It’s too populated and important to be totally left out but neither is it in a position to compete for funds with the neighbouring constituency of Karambunai which is still in the BN fold.
Following its defeat in Inanam, PBS has backed away from the constituency to lick its wounds. It has shut down its division in constituency following a revolt and only its Community Development Officer, Sabin Guntilaban, has some say in development programmes.
“But just being a CDO, nothing much can be done,” said a Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman.
The JKKK is a body that look after problems in their respective villages, reporting directly to the development office.
PBS has no one it can turn to since it sacked former assemblyman Jonny Goh for allegedly supporting the opposition during the election in protest of being dropped as the BN candidate.
On top of this, the government has yet to appoint a People’s Development Leader for Inanam and the other constituencies won by the opposition eventhough the other  BN-held state constituencies had their leaders’ named soon after the general election. Being politically-appointees, these leaders are assistants to assemblymen in their respective constituencies.
“I am the assemblymen but being in the opposition, the government does not allow me to appoint a people development leader or other government posts for the benefit of the people,” Chia told the Borneo Insider.
The PKR assemblyman, who has set up his service centre office at Taipan Inanam Town, said he receives no government allocation and the people understand this and his difficulties.
“I try my best to assist the people with the RM5,000 assemblyman monthly allowance. On other days, I voice out problems to the government and so far the relevant departments have been cooperative,” he said.
Lost in all this is the fact that the state government is generously doling out funds and allocations to its elected representatives from money collected through taxes from everyone, not just BN supporters.
If last year’s election is an indicator, the opposition gained the majority of votes in the country and hence are contributing the most in terms of taxes. - BI

Huguan Siou reigns but does not rule

 

By The Borneo Insider on February 19, 2014

The declaration by KDM Malaysia to enter the political fray as a Barisan Nasional component party puts another nail in the coffin of the KDM unity

KOTA KINABALU: Another crack is beginning to appear in the so-called wall of unity surrounding the natives of Sabah with the emergence of a new political party loosely linked to Umno leaders.
That’s bad news for Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the PBS president and Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) of the Kadazandusun community. Defiance of his leadership is spreading as he enters his final term in power.
The emergence of non-governmental organisation, Kadazan Dusun Murut Malaysia or KDM Malaysia, was always seen as a sign that not all was well in a community that had once united to oust the state Barisan Nasional government from power back in 1985.
The brainchild of John Ambrose, its founder, and current president Peter Anthony, the NGO’s arrival in 2012 was an anathema to the three established indigenous Kadazandusun and Murut community political parties – PBS, Upko and PBRS.
Why a new native community mouthpiece when there were already so many unless they were not satisfying the immediate needs of the people?
The reason, according to the Sabah political pundits, was the perception that the established parties were more concerned with themselves as political entities rather than helping the community.
Ambrose and Anthony themselves had a falling out and the latter took over the reins of power. Anthony’s close ties with certain Umno leaders place him in a good position to attract aid to the community via the NGO.
Though he failed to gain traction with the state BN, Anthony managed to gain an inside track on federally funded projects to organize community-based programmes like KDM Malaysia Idol with RM100,000 awaiting the winner of the show modeled on the famed American Idol programme.
It helped raise the profile of the NGO and their ambitions grew in tandem. But critics say that though the majority of the leadership are not politically tainted and as such are more acceptable, they also lack experience and are not in sync with the feelings of the people.
On Saturday night at the KDM Malaysia annual general meeting Anthony formalised the pledge to take the NGO to the next level become one of the Barisan Nasional component parties.
“KDM Malaysia is seen as a strong and vital force in determining the future of the indigenous people in Sabah. And I believe that we will have a stronger voice as a political party,” he told members.
Anthony, who retained the president post uncontested, said he would submit their application together with the resolution to the Registrar of Societies next month.
KDM Malaysia was formerly known as Umno KDM Task force until several quarters within the BN in Sabah complained of the existence of the entity even though Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had endorsed it.
It was registered with the ROS on Sept 8, 2011 and its immediate task then was to assist BN’s candidates in the 13th general elections.
The NGO has gained recognition by helping youths in the community obtain scholarships to pursue their studies in universities in the country.
Candidates have to apply for the educational fund through KDM Malaysia and a directive from the Education Ministry for candidates to send their applications through KDM Malaysia was considered a major achievement by the organisation.
“I am not aware of any other KDM-based organisation being given such trust from the government,” Anthony told Borneo Insider when contacted today.
However the response to KDM Malaysia’s move to become a political entity was cold. PBS secretary general Johnny Mositun who is Deputy Speaker of the Sabah Legislative Assembly said he was not a surprised given the past action of its leaders, especially Anthony.
Criticising the KDM Malaysia president, Mositun pointed out that the organisation had only been only masquerading as an NGO when its real objective was purely political motivated. He added that judging from its programmes so far, it was clear where they are heading.
Mositun said the party was aware that Anthony was always aiming to get into politics.
The cold reception from PBS is understandable given that Pairin is the head of the party and the Huguan Siou of the community. KDM Malaysia’s actions would be seen as an affront to the community’s leader.
Upko, headed by another heavyweight Kadazandusun leader, Bernard Dompok was more circumspect in its response. It’s national information chief Albert Bingkasan said the NGO had every right to chart their own future.
Movement for Change Sabah (APS) president Wilfred Bumburing was more blunt and commented that if the organisation was registered and accepted as a BN component, then it would imply the failure of the KDM based parties in BN in voicing the concerns of the people.
Sabah Umno assistant secretary Masidi Manjun, a Dusun, also tiptoed around the question saying Malaysia was a democratic country and everyone was free to take part in politics.
Opposition assemblymen Roland Chia (PKR-Inanam) and Edwin Bosi (DAP-Kepayan) dismissed the political ramifications and said the NGO had a right to transform into a political entity and contest in general elections. - BI

Shafie’s wooing Yong back into BN

Selvaraja Somiah of Free Malaysia Today

| November 22, 2012

In a bid to unseat Musa Aman, Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal is allegedly brokering deals with SAPP's Yong Teck Lee.

COMMENT

Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal is allegedly masterminding the return of former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee into the Barisan Nasional and claiming he has the tacit approval of party president Najib Tun Razak to negotiate the return.

This is despite the fact that Sabah BN components distrust Yong, who is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president.

Yong, Shafie and Joseph Ambrose Lee were partners in crime at one time. They allegedly took over the RM30-billion timber wealth of Yayasan Sabah through a share-swap. The “swap” had allegedly taken place when Yong was chief minister and Shafie a directer in Yayasan Sabah.

Like it or not, it was Musa Aman who was then Sabah Finance Minister who rejected this share-swap deal, saving Yayasan Sabah from a pending doom.

Shafie’s intention of bringing Yong back into BN will weaken Musa’s leadership among BN followers.

It will serve Shafie well. Shafie’s jealousy of Musa is well known here. He has made innumerable attempts to pull Musa down.

He was responsible for instigating Beaufort MP Lajim Ukin to call Musa’s removal as chief minister. Shafie awarded Lajim with a RM150 million road project from his Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

Shafie also helped form KDM Malaysia to divide the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) community. The aim was to politically weaken Deputy Chief Minister Pairin Joseph Kitingan and his party PBS (Parti Bersatu Sabah), hence driving a wedge between Pairin and Musa.

Why is Shafie so jealous of Musa? Shafie dreams of being the top dog in Sabah but I think it’s a pipe dream.

Musa’s good for Sabah

Irrespective of what people say, Musa has done good by Sabah. Let’s look at history.

When Sabah attained independence in 1963, Malaysia was born.

Right from independence in 1963 to 1985, the Alliance-Barisan National ruled Sabah. After 1985, Harris Salleh was defeated, and Pairin became the chief minister.

But even at that time Sabah was ruled by BN until 1986 when PBS pulled out of BN. In 1994, BN wrested control of power from PBS when Lajim defected from PBS.

His action opened a floodgate of defections from PBS and saw the collapse of Pairin’s PBS government. Sakaran Dandai became the first Umno chief minister of Sabah in 1994.

In 2003, Musa was appointed chief minister. Immediately on assuming office, Musa faced crisis after crisis.

First, the state treasury was nearly negative; Yayasan Sabah was on the verge of going bust; state agencies were in the red; and the financial situation of the state was in shambles.

Musa prudently turn around the mess he inherited.

In 2004, Musa faced state election and captured more seats than in 1999 and became the chief minister again. He won again in 2008 with a thumping victory, winning 59 out of the 60 state seats.

Musa vs Shafie

Under Musa’s rule, Sabah has registered remarkable progress in the last 10 years.

Sabah has even earned praise from Auditor-General Ambrin Buang for demonstrating sound financial management and for maintaining its record of efficient and prudent handling of its finances over the last 12 years.

One hundred and six departments and agencies were audited last year and each showed that its financial management was at a very good level.

Even Moody International has certified the Sabah government for efficient and proper budget management for three years running and RAM has given it a triple-A rating for its finances.

Sure, Sabah has had problems, but it is progressing.

Shafie, on the other hand, has had billions at his disposal under his ministerial portfolio. He has been Semporna MP since 1995 yet his achievements paled in comparison to Musa.

He has done nothing much to improve the livelihood of the Semporna folks despite having a huge budget at his disposal.

It explains Shafie’s envy.

Meanwhile, word on the ground is that Musa is set to remain chief minister for the next five years. Word is that he will move on to become the federal Finance Minister in 2017.

And when that happens, it will be to Sabah’s loss.

Selvaraja Somiah is a geologist and freelance writer. He blogs at selvarajasomiah.wordpress.com.

BN members still fighting over SAPP seats

 

By Joseph Bingkasan of Free Malaysia Today

| October 30, 2012

          

The Sepanggar parliamentary seat which BN component parties are tussling over will be an easy win as there are 3,000 registered postal voters.

 

KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional coalition members are scrambling to claim constituencies won by their former colleague Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) in the last general election.

Leaders of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), United Pasok Mompogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and BN’s backbone Umno have all thrown their hats in the ring for their members to contest the MP seats of Sepanggar, Tawau and the state seats of Likas and Luyang.

SAPP, now in the opposition holds the two parliamentary seats through party deputy president Eric Majimbun (Sepanggar) and vice president Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) while Liew Teck Chan and Melanie Chia are the state assembly representatives for Likas and Luyang.

All four had won the seats on BN ticket but the party led by former chief minister Yong Teck Lee quit the coalition on Sept 7, 2008.

PBS president Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan has announced that his party has applied to BN chairman, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, to register the mixed constituency of Sepanggar seat under PBS.

Pairin is basing the party’s claim ahead of other BN coalition aspirants on the shaky premise that PBS enjoys huge support in the constituency.

SAPP proved their contention a fallacy in the Nov 9, 1999 election. The constituency was then known as Gaya. Yong defeated PBS candidate Johnny Goh Chin Lok, now the Inanam assemblyman, 15,315 votes to 11,198 votes. Third candidate Hamzah Abdullah of PAS only managed 729 votes.

However, PBS is this time also in a skirmish with Upko head Bernard Dompok, Pairin’s archival for the Kadazandusun political crown.

Dompok who is the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister announced the party’s claim to the Sepanggar also on the basis of enjoying huge support in the constituency.

The last time Upko’s strength was tested was in the March, 1999 election where its candidate Christine Van Houten, a former civil servant, was defeated in the state constituency of Inanam. The constituency together with Karambunai is within the Sepanggar parliamentary constituency.

BN minnows, PBRS, headed by Joseph Kurup and LDP whose president Liew Vui Kiong is Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department have also established bases in Sepanggar but unlike PBS, Upko and Umno, they are not active in the area.

Easier seat for BN

Umno, the main party in the the Sabah BN coalition, can be said to have the upper hand in any tussle among coalition members to contest Sepanggar.

Its divisional head Jumat Idris, is seen as a close aide of Chief Minister Musa Aman, the Sabah BN chief. Idris is also the BN chairman for the constituency.

Incumbent Majimbun is rumoured to be all set to move into state politics by contesting in his home constituency of Inanam.

Majimbun, who is SAPP deputy president, however also disclosed that his party would nevertheless field a candidate to defend Sepanggar.

The Sepanggar MP seat is said to be one of the easier seats for the BN to wrest from the opposition irrespective of who in the BN coalition gets the nod to be the candidate.

Political pundits say the electoral balance is tipped against the opposition here given that there are about 3,000 postal votes registered in Sepanggar.

According to them, based on past election results, postal voters by and large have always proved to be ‘government supporters’.

This is more so in Sepanggar where there is a naval base as it has also been seen in the past that constituencies with a large military presence have always elected a BN candidate.

In the last general election, BN contested in all the 25 MP and 60 state seats. It was a landslide victory for the coalition who only lost the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary and Sri Tanjong state seat to DAP.

However a series of subsequent defections right up to a month ago has allowed the opposition to make further in-roads in the BN’s ‘fixed-deposit’ state.

Meanwhile, apart from the seats now held by SAPP, seat allocation for the Sabah BN members has almost been settled, according to Dompok.

Opening Upko Beaufort division delegate conference over the weekend, he said there was no more problem in seats allocation as all the component parties had been informed of the seats they will be contesting in the elections.

BN feigning unity in Sabah

By Joseph Bingkasan of Free Malaysia Today

| October 15, 2012

          

Sabah Umno, which already has a giant share of the state and parliamentary seats, is greedy and wants more.

 

KOTA KINABALU: As the countdown to the 13th general election edges towards a fixed date, the ruling coalition is showing signs of strain with bigger parties attempting to muscle in on the turf of their smaller partners.

 

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) joined the queue lobbying to take over candidacy for the Pensiangan MP seat or one of the two state seats – Nabawan and Sook – in the parliamentary constituency.

 

The problem is, the Pensiangan MP seat is now held by federal Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Joseph Kurup who helms Barisan Nasional coalition partner Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

 

It is well known that there is little love lost between PBS and PBRS and now the frayed threads that hold the Umno-led ruling coalition are being exposed once again as they always are before an election.

To gain a higher profile in the state assembly, PBS headed by Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan is also laying claim to another state seat that comes under the Keningau parliamentary constituency.

 

Pairin is Keningau MP as well as Tambunan state assembly representative. The two other state seats within his parliamentary constituency, Liawan and Bingkor, are shared by Umno and PBS spin-off, the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko).

 

Sairin Karno of Umno is the Liawan representative and Upko’s Justin Guka sits in Bingkor so based on the coalition’s power structure, Guka’s seat is the target as PBS plays second fiddle to Umno in any realignment of seat allocation in that parliamentary constituency.

 

Over in Pensiangan, the state seats of Nabawan and Sook are held by Bobby Ah Fang Suan of Upko and Ellron Angin of PBRS respectively. Here PBRS is in PBS crosshairs.

 

The problem is Kurup who won the MP seat uncontested in the 2008 election is the sole MP from the party while Angin is the only assemblyman for the party in the 60-members State Legislative Assembly.

 

PBS’s demand for the extra seats came during the annual general meetings of the PBS divisions of Pensiangan, Sook, Bingkor and Liawan recently.

 

The calls were made with the full support of Pairin, and the motions were quickly endorsed by him as logical as he said the constituencies were traditionally the stronghold of his party

since it was formed in 1985.

 

In fact PBS controlled almost all the state and parliamentary seats until Pairin’s government, then in the opposition, was toppled by the BN in 1994 when it won just 25 of the 48 state assembly seats.

 

Umno showing claws

 

The party’s elected representatives, seeing the writing on the wall, jumped ship as a matter of political survival.

 

Kurup was among them. He ditched PBS to form PBRS. Other formed new political or joined Umno.

 

PBS delegates of the Pensiangan and Sook divisions under the leadership of former MP Bernard Maraat have long memories and want the party to be given at least one of the two seats in the next election.

 

However, another shark in the form of Umno is circling.

 

The main component in the ruling coalition which already has the giant share of state and parliamentary seats in Sabah, registered its intention to make a bid to takeover the Pensiangan constituency or one of the state seats under its jurisdiction.

 

Kurup responded to the implied threat that should he be dropped, BN could expect an exodus of PBRS members out to support the opposition in the election.

 

Maraat, on the other hand announced that if the seat was given to Umno to contest, he would offer to contest as a BN-friendly independent candidate.

 

Bingkor PBS division chief Peter Jino Allion has claimed that the party is far more established in the constituency compared with other BN component parties whose weakness was demonstrated by a decline in votes in the past two elections.

 

He said the BN leadership should not underestimate the opposition in Bingkor.

 

However, he was careful to be respectful to Umno saying: “Bingkor PBS will support any BN candidate who contested and would ensure the victory of the candidate.”

 

He suggested that the BN leadership appoint party leaders in Bingkor and Liawan – who are not selected as candidates – as a senator or an appointed member of the state legislative assembly to strengthen PBS under Pairin’s leadership.

 

Cut-throat politics

 

His proposal however is all nonsense according to political pundits familiar with Sabah’s post-1994 election tactics and the cut-throat world of Sabah politics.

 

“They (party leaders) are trying to keep every one in line by promising them rewards if they don’t get to contest seats in the election.

 

“They have to keep making way for others and everyone knows an elected position is a money-spinner. They all want their share of the pie,” said one former BN supporter who requested anonymity

 

PBS, whose traditional support-base is shaky is also worried that BN’s much hyped ‘Janji Ditepati’ (Promises Fulfilled) slogan has not gone down well in Sabah.

 

Allion said as much when he asked that all projects approved by the government be implemented before the 13th general election.

 

Such is the fear that the party and the BN may not do as well in the coming election.

 

Party leaders have also called on their members to quit NGOs that have criticised the government and coalition leaders.

 

“Members of the party and BN must defend their leaders by leaving these NGOs and struggle alongside their parties,” Allion said recently.

 

With Pairin’s image tarnished since rejoining the BN and Umno (his once bitter foe) even his position as PBS president has come under attack and senior party leaders who know they lack credibility without the community’s Huguan Siou (Paramaount Chief) are running scared.

 

Meanwhile, Liawan PBS division deputy head, Zachary Kinsik, has proposed the tried and tested BN candidate quota system be scrapped altogether, a suggestion first made by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

 

He also said that the number of seats held by Umno should be reduced as recommended by former premier Mahathir Mohamed and that the distribution of seats and power sharing should be fair and transparent.

Anwar shadows Najib to drum change for Sabah

By Luke Rintod HERE

| October 10, 2012

          

Umno and BN leaders know that there is little love lost in Sabah for the ruling coalition as people continue to feel the effects of higher prices.

 

KOTA KINABALU: Wherever Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak goes, the silhouette of a senior Pakatan Rakyat leader is never too far away from him and the same will happen when he visits Sabah this weekend.

 

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is due in Sabah this Friday on a weekend visit a day ahead of a two-day visit by the premier who will be in the state to shore up support for his Barisan Nasional coalition.

 

However, while the state administration has announced Najib’s itinerary in Penampang, Kundasang and Kudat, Anwar’s visit is lower-profile.

 

According to PKR vice president Tian Chua, he will accompany Anwar this Friday to visit the interior Sabah parliamentary districts of Keningau, Tenom and Pensiangan.

 

“Anwar and I are coming this Friday to Tenom, Pensiangan and Keningau to rally support for the party,” he texted in reply to a FMT query on whether opposition leaders would be in Sabah at the same time as Najib as has been the practice.

 

According to local PKR leaders, Anwar will reiterate Pakatan’s pledges to Sabah it made in its shadow budget for 2013 if it wins the coming general election.

 

“They are expected to mount assaults against the Umno regime and the leadership of Musa Aman as Sabah’s Chief Minister,” said a PKR leader here.

 

The opposition party leaders are also expected to drag Umno’s strongest ally in the Sabah BN government, Parti Bersatu Sabah, into the conflict.

 

“It will definitely be along those lines. We will expose more wrong-doings and yes PBS leaders including (Joseph) Pairin will be dragged in as accomplices and accessories to all the abuse of power and public funds by virtue of their support for Umno,” said another PKR leader.

 

Najib is on his fifth visit to Sabah this year. His previous visits to the state also corresponded with that of Pakatan leaders Lim Kit Siang of DAP and Awang Hadi of PAS.

 

BN leaders worried
While Najib has publicly declared that he is confident BN would retain power in Sabah and showed this by ignoring the state to a large extent in his recent 2013 Budget, BN leaders here are privately concerned with the growing dissatisfaction by Sabahans about the low level of development of their state.

 

The indications that opposition is gaining growing support in the BN’s ‘fixed deposit’ state is reflected in Najib’s repeated visits to Sabah where 25 parliamentary seats are up for grabs in the looming elections.

 

Local and national leaders have also grown more sensitive to allegations of corruption and arrogance as the countdown to the elections that must be called by April next year begins.

Anwar and his Pakatan coalition on the other hand have announced sweeteners for the state to ditch the ruling coalition as they have done in the past.

 

Umno and BN leaders know that there is little love lost in Sabah for the ruling coalition as people continue to feel the effects of having to pay more for food and basic items as the government cuts back on subsidies in response to a slowing global economy.

 

Pakatan has promised to increase of oil royalty payment to the poverty-stricken state from 5% to 20% if it forms the federal government and is something Sabahans have been demanding for decades after state leaders inexplicably surrendered the state’s resources.

Meanwhile, it is rumoured that scores of Sabah leaders including another corporate leader, would announce their entry into PKR during Anwar’s visit.

 

Top of the list is Dr Richard Gunting, a Murut leader, who was the general manager of state-owned Koperasi Pembangunan Desa (KPD).

 

According to insiders, Gunting is a potential PKR candidate for the Tenom seat.

Resolve problems of Kimanis villagers: KDM Malaysia Published HERE on: Thursday, October 04, 2012   Kota Kinabalu: The Kadazan, Dusun and Murut Malaysia (KDM Malaysia) organisation is urging the relevant authorities to resolve the problems faced by villagers in Kg Ulu Sawatan, Kimanis. Its President, Datuk Peter Anthony, said the organisation is also willing to provide legal assistance so as to enable the villagers whose lands they claimed have been given away to strangers, to pursue the matter if all avenues have been exhausted. He was responding to a letter from the villagers that sought KDM Malaysia's help to solve their problem. Nevertheless, he urged the villagers to be patient and to render cooperation to the authorities. "I was informed that those involved in the predicament have lodged reports with the police (in Papar)," he said. He also advised the villagers to inform the elected representatives, both Assemblyman and MP in the constituency concerned of their predicament. Recently, original settlers of Kg Ulu Sawatan voiced their grievances in the media that the lands they have been applying for and toiled on for more than three decades are now owned by strangers. Others, who have already obtained land titles, claimed that the timber resources in their property continue to be plundered. To this, Anthony said he and some friends in KDM Malaysia have visited the land concerned and confirmed that there was evidence that timber there have been exploited. He said there was an agreement between the landowners and the timber company to extract logs from their property. "But from our observation and inspections, the titled land acreage is smaller than the size of land that has been encroached for timber extraction," he said. He said timber-felling activity in the area concerned is still continuing. "The timber extraction activity there should have ceased immediately right after the villagers lodged complaints," he said. To this, Anthony expressed disappointment with the statement by PBS Pantai Manis Division Chief, Datuk Johnny Mositun, who denied any encroachment in Ulu Sawatan. He said if the villagers complained, surely there must be problems. "Maybe he is just too busy with his duty as Deputy State Speaker that he has no time to visit the ground," he said. On this, he said if the matter were not resolved, it would not be good for the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially when the general election is just round the corner. To this end, he if the villagers face any problems and require help from KDM Malaysia, they could call KDM's office at 088-719188 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 088-719188 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Youth Intercultural Dialogue "Train the Facilitator" Phase II organised by KDM Malaysia, would be held here on Oct 12-14. The programme, Anthony said, is a continuation to the programme that was held in the middle of this year in Kundasang. Among the programme modules, he said, are 1Malaysia leadership, volunteerism and multi management

By-election in Sabah

　
KOTA KINABALU: Batu Sapi Member of Parliament Edmund Chong, 54, was killed in a
road accident Saturday (Oct 9, 2010). He was reportedly riding a high-powered
motorcycle along Jalan Coastal, Tanjung Aru, at 11.40am on a highway in the city
when he crashed into an oncoming car.
Chong, who is a consultant engineer by profession, leaves a wife, Linda Tsen
Thau Lin, 54, and four children -- three daughters and a son, aged between 13
and 23. Two of his children are studying abroad.

He was the treasurer-general of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and the party's
Elopura division head. He is a consultant engineer by profession.

Chong, who was born in Sandakan, became an MP after winning the parliamentary
seat of Batu Sapi uncontested in the 2004 general election.

Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP Ahmad Sofi Zakaria said Chong's body
was taken the to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, according to a Bernama report.

"We are investigating. Preliminary investigation revealed a dent on the right
side of the Mercedes (car) due to a collision," he said when contacted.

Ahmad Sofi said the driver of the car was slightly injured.'A committed leader'
Putatan MP Marcus Mojigoh said he and Chong were to have travelled together
tomorrow to Kuala Lumpur to attend the Dewan Rakyat session beginning Monday.

Chong was returning to his house in Taman Likas Jaya from the Kota Kinabalu
International Airport after buying his flight ticket when the accident happened,
he told reporters at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

"I was told he went to the airport to get his ticket. We were supposed to leave
for KL tomorrow together. I believe he wanted to stay at the Legend Hotel where
I am also going to put up.

"I did not think this will happen. I had advised him to be careful (when riding
the motorcycle). We have all lost a friend and will miss him," said Marcus, who
was almost in tears.

Marcus, who is the treasurer-general of Upko (United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun
Murut Organisation), said Chong was a collector of motorcycles. "It was his
hobby. He has got a few motorbikes," he said.

Sabah Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Yee Moh Chai, who
is from the PBS, said Chong's death was felt not only by the family but also by
the people of Batu Sapi.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Sandakan MP Liew Vui
Keong said Chong was well respected by the people of Batu Sapi and Sandakan.

"He also carried out his work efficiently as chairman of the Commercial Vehicle
Licensing Board (LPKP) Sabah, which comes under my purview in the Prime
Minister's Department.

"It is a great loss to Sandakan, to Sabah and to the nation. At this moment, my
thoughts are with his wife and the family who, I pray, will find strength and
solace to carry on at this very difficult time of theirs," he said.

A tragic loss

PBS deputy president Maximus Ongkili described Chong as a principled, dignified
politician.

He said Chong was once tempted with "millions of ringgit" to cross over to
another party but declined the offer.

Ongkili said Chong was one of the key PBS assemblymen who provided unfailing
support and stability for the reinvention of the party during the post-1994 era.

"It's a tragic loss for the PBS, the Barisan Nasional and Sabah. In executing
his duties as an elected representative, he spoke with boldness and sincerity
regarding the rights and needs of his constituents.

"Sometimes, his words were not palatable to some friends and colleagues but he
always meant well. He was a great personal friend, although at times we had to
agree to disagree on certain issues in politics," he said.

Ongkili said Chong would be deeply missed by his loving family, comrades in the
PBS and colleagues in Parliament.

Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman described Chong's death as a great loss for the
people and state of Sabah.

"He was a dedicated and committed leader in discharging his responsibilities as
the Member of Parliament for Batu Sapi," he told reporters when approached at
Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Musa, who is the State Barisan Nasional chairman, said he and his family
extended condolences to Chong's family and PBS.

PBS president Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who was also at the hospital, said: "It's
very sad for the state and the country, especially PBS. He was my close friend."

"It is something which I never thought would happen. I pray all the time that
nothing like this would happen.

"Chong, as an MP and the party's treasurer-general, had always been concerned
about the future of the country and the state," he said, adding that they last
met during the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) open day here on
Thursday.

The talks now is.....

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun (right) will be contesting the State seat of Inanam, taking on incumbent Assemblyman Johnny Goh Chin Lok of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), in the next general election (PRU13).

Eric, a former District Chief and ex-Chief Judge of the Kota Kinabalu Native Court, is Sepanggar Member of Parliament. He won the seat in the last general election, at that time, SAPP was still a component member of the Barisan Nasional Government.

The sitting District Chief of Kota Kinabalu OKK William Majimbun (left), a young brother of Eric, is tipped to be proposed by PBS to contest for Barisan Nasional for the Sepanggar MP seat. William is a PBS supreme council member.

Umno is also eying to contest the seat and the likely candidate will be the Sepanggar BN chairman Jumat Idris.

And yet another Barisan Nasional component party member UPKO is also said to be proposing one of its supreme council member to contest for the seat. Whoever the Barisan candidate will be, he of she will have to face SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee. Yong, a former Chief Minister, was Gaya MP and one time the Assemblyman for Likas.

Latest talk....
A friend called me saying that Datuk Yong might contest the Likas seat while incumbent Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan will go for Sepanggar MP seat.

Change the shirt (Tukar baju)

Change the shirt

Tue, 16 Mar 2010

By Phlip Rodrigues, Managing Editor of http://freemalaysiatoday.com

COMMENT

After nearly 50 years in Malaysia, Sabah is not a story that has a happy ring to it. It is still a backward state; in fact, it remains one of the poorest in the country. The gulf that separates the "land below the wind" from the peninsula is as wide and deep as the South China Sea.Let's take a walk down history lane. In the early years, politics over there had a laid-back quality. After the northern Bornean state joined Malaysia in 1963, Sabah was ruled by a succession of parties -- the United National Kadazan Organisation (1963-64); the Sabah Chinese Association (1965-67); United Sabah National Organisation (1967-75), which continued to hold power until 1976; and the shortlived reign of Berjaya (44 days). Then a new leader named Datuk Harris Salleh helmed Berjaya and went on to govern the state from 1976 to 1985.

It was during Harris' watch that politics took a turbulent turn and Sabah was never the same again. Harris grew increasingly autocratic and arrogant and thought the sky would not fall on him. But one man in his ruling party had had enough of his antics. The rebel: Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

Pairin quit Berjaya and formed Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to challenge Harris. But "dirty" Harris went ballastic – he immediately abolished Pairin's district of Tambunan. This audacious act got the people all riled up and they finally threw him out of office when he clashed with Pairin in the 1985 state election.

When Pairin was in the driver's seat, his nine years in power as Chief Minister were anything but peaceful. He was in an uneasy partnership with the BN coalition. Dark forces in the form of Umno overlords were already preparing to get rid of this upstart Huguan Siou (paramount chief of the Kadazandusun).

When Pairin took the bold step to pull out of the coalition to join forces with a prince named Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Umno declared open warfare on him. It marched into Sabah on a spurious invitation of self-interested allies and promised the people a Sabah Baru in its strategy to wrest control of the state.

In the 1994 state polls, PBS managed to ward off the bullies but fell on the sword when PBS assemblymen defected to the other side. Pairin spent his time in the political wilderness while Umno and the band of PBS traitors gripped the levels of power firmly.

There was bad blood between Pairin and the man who was mostly responsible for grounding the state to dust – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The doctor held the favourite son of Sabah and his Kadazandusuns in utter contempt, describing his state as Malaysia's "Wild West". He went all-out to diminish their influence by changing the electoral boundaries to give the Muslims a dominant hold on power. It was nothing short of the colonisation of Sabah.

The KL strongman even threatened to cut off funds to the state, prompting Pairin to retort: "You can criticise America for imposing sanctions on Iraq but you should not impose sanctions on one of your own states."

There was no stopping the devious machination of the federal leaders. They introduced the politics of development, pouring funds to develop this economic backwater. To soothe the ruffled feelings of the non-Muslims, it rotated the chief ministership post. This Sabah Baru gambit paid off handsomely – the haughty coalition won convincingly in the 1999 state election.

Even the Huguan Siou was shaken by the massive BN victory. For him, there was only one way out – and that was to join the BN boys. He was admitted to the graft-ridden club – and has ever since remained docile, quiet, obedient.

Meanwhile, the BN juggernaut went about with its destructive ways. Emboldened by the solid mandate, it scrapped the rotating chief ministership to ensure that only Umno is in control. It even allotted to itself half of the state assembly seats (32 out of 60), while relegating the others to the background.

The greedy, grasping centre implemented several policies designed to strip the state of its wealth and make it beholden to Kuala Lumpur. They "annexed" Labuan on the pretext it wanted to help ease the financial burden of administering the island. They made it a federal territory without paying the state a single sen. They packed most of the top posts in the federal departments with civil servants from the peninsula. And they made sure that big businesses went mostly to peninsula-based companies.

Even in education, there was a whiff of perfidy – Sabah found that it could not call Universiti of Malaysia Sabah its own when it was built on its soil. Its students made up less than half of the student population, with the majority of them from Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

The biggest blow was dealt when Sabah, a resource-rich state, found itself deprived of oil and gas wealth. The ravenous federal masters decided that oil did not belong to the state but to Malaysia. So, you must share your oil with the big peninsular brothers. In return for giving up its rights to the oil and gas, the state received a paltry royalty (five percent or RM351 million annually).

Once considered the second richest behind Selangor, Sabah has fallen on hard times: its poverty rate is now 16 percent. The RM19 billion allocated to the state under the Ninth Malaysia Plan was regarded as mere pittance – it formed only 8% of the national budget.

All these years, the big brothers have been riding roughshod over Sabah although they couched their cold treatment in the guise of national unity. Even after getting battered in 2008, and were luckily saved by the voters of Sabah, the previous flip-flop regime continued to give the state the cold shoulder.

Today, there are signs of restlessness in Sabah. We are not surprised. The rumblings of discontent and anger are getting louder and louder. We can feel it. In haste, federal leaders have been making quick trips to Sabah to show their phony concern. But the people over there know that the politics of development – exploiting natural resources, buying votes, under-representing the majority – has failed, and failed miserably.

New forces have reshaped the political life of the country and one slogan may triumph in Sabah, come the next battle – takaron bankad. It's "change the shirt". Change the shirt because the current government is not looking after the interest of the Sabahans.

Pairin stays as PBS chief

Pairin retirement delayed by PBS power-struggle?

This story from http://freemalaysiatoday.com

KOTA KINABALU: Former Chief Minister and Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan is doing his best to head off a looming vacuum and tussle for his post in the party.
The 70-year-old Huguan Siou (paramount leader of the Kadazandusun community) reaffirmed this week that he has no intention of stepping down from his political posts as yet.

He told reporters that he would embrace retirement "when the time comes".

"The (party) struggle will continue. I will do my part and contribute as much as I can. I don't want to go on forever.

"Sooner or later, I will have to say bye-bye lah, but as long as I'm able to contribute and work with others, I will do so… even after retirement... put it that way."

He was speaking to reporters at a special event honouring him called "Colloquium of Thinking and Struggle of Datu Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan" held in conjunction with PBS' 25th anniversary celebrations.

The colloquium was attended by the party's deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili who is seen as waiting in the wings to take over from the reportedly ailing leader.

Considered something of a hero in his stronghold of Tambunan where he has been assemblyman for more than three decades, Pairin, despite his ouster from power in 1994, commands the utmost respect among the community's elders.

It is a reverence which makes him untouchable within and outside the party though younger Kadazandusuns may have different political views.

Pairin was in fact rudely challenged by Maximus' older brother Victor in 2006 to quit his position and make way for younger leaders.

Maximus supporters fear a drifting away of the younger generation from the party to other community-based political parties.

Since returning to the BN fold in 2002, Pairin has largely been outshone on the community stage by his former party colleague Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, the president of the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation.

"The younger generation find people like Dompok more vocal in articulating the frustrations of Sabahans to the federal government," said an insider who requested anonymity.

Grand old man of politics

Maximus' supporters see him as the person to correct this shift in support from the party.

However, there is an emotional link to the PBS succession chain. Pairin's advisers and supporters believe his younger brother Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, the current PKR chief for Sabah and Sarawak, should be the obvious choice to take over the reigns of the party when Pairin retires.

According to their thinking, Jeffrey as a Tambunan leader should be next in line. Their argument is that as the birth place of PBS is Tambunan, it logically follows that its next leader should also be from Tambunan.

Tambunan is the place where the revolt of Sabahans began in the early 1980s against years of domination by non-Sabah leaders and interference in state affairs.

It began through Pairin and PBS and therefore its next leader should also be from among the community there. Who better than the brother of the Huguan Siou, is the argument his supporters put forward.

Pairin, to the people of Sabah, is the grand old man of politics who had seen it all. He had been at both sides of the political divide.

A lawyer by training, he began his political journey through Parti Berjaya in 1975 contesting the Tambunan seat in the state election the following year, the seat formerly occupied by Anthony Gibon. He has held the seat ever since.

When the Tun Fuad Stephens-led Berjaya Party toppled the USNO government, Pairin was made Assistant Minister to Chief Minister Harris Salleh (1976-1985). He was made a full minister (Local Government and Housing) less than a month later when Stephens perished in an aircraft crash at Sembulan in Kota Kinabalu on June 6, 1976.

He formed PBS and went on to topple Harris' Berjaya government in 1985. He was chief minister from 1985 until March 1994 before he was toppled by BN-inspired defections despite PBS winning the election.

Pairin recently came under attack by the opposition for allegedly being unable to handle the multiple tasks he is charged with. He was urged to vacate his Keningau parliamentary seat and duties as he was already staggering under the weight of holding two ministerial posts as Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development.

Maximus, the man in his shadow in the party, is currently high up in the Barisan Nasional hierarchy of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's government and is in his cabinet as Minister of Science,Technology and Innovation.

Younger brother Jeffrey

Harvard-educated Jeffrey is Pakatan Rakyat leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's handpicked PKR pointman in Sabah and Sarawak and charged with gearing up the two east Malaysian states for broad political and social reforms. It is an election platform on which he is hoping to woo the Sabah and Sarawak electorate to the opposition fold

He was detained in 1992 under the infamous Internal Security Act on suspicion of plotting to secede Sabah from the federation of Malaysia, but critics say he was just a political prisoner arrested by federal authorities out to topple the opposition PBS government.

Jeffrey's entry into PKR has not been smooth. He quit the post of vice-president last year but accepted to remain in the party as PKR chief for Sabah.

At the time, speculation was rife that PBS leaders, including Pairin, were trying to convince him to return to the BN fold through PBS.

Now Pairin is talking...

Consultation the best: PBS

Published on: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 HERE

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is all for consultation or mediation as the best way to resolve the conflict over the use of the term "Allah" in Malaysia.

PBS President, Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, said he regretted the conflict has gone to the court in the first place, but added that he understood the circumstances behind it.

He said he also sympathised with the Prime Minister who has to make tough decisions in light of the sensitivity of the issue and the conflicting demands and expectations of various groups.

However, Pairin, who was speaking during the swearing-in of the elected and appointed PBS Supreme Council members in Donggongon, Penampang, said the issue on the use of the term "Allah" is complex and whatever position the Government takes is bound to please or diplease someone.

Due to the heightened sensitivities at the moment, he feels the best policy is to speak less so as not to aggravate situation.

For that reason, he said, in the last few days PBS decided not to make unnecessary statements.

Pairin, who is deeply concerned with the development in the case, advised all PBS members not to read too much into what they see on TV or the unfounded rumours they read from the short messaging service (SMS).

"No one can be truly sure who are the real perpetrators causing the unnecessary trouble which seems to create a climate of fear and uncertainty," he said.

Further, he said PBS leaders must refrain from making statements especially to the newspapers, which may be misconstrued and, thus, further aggravate the already tense situation.

He said after taking into consideration recent events and the various statements by individuals, some favourable and others not so favourable, PBS' stand is that the best way to resolve the conflict is through proper consultation.

He said the case is already in the court of appeal and the prospect of the plaintiffs in the court case withdrawing their case without any tangible offer to negotiate out of court is very slim, so PBS wants to see proper consultations among the parties to the dispute to reach an amicable solution.

Pairin said the prospect of success in resolving the conflict is good as the culture of the people of Sabah is to negotiate or consult one another in resolving conflict.

Pairin therefore welcomed the statement by Datuk Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, that non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak be allowed by the Federal Government to use the term "Allah" in their prayers and worship which he said is acceptable and should be seriously considered.

He said there have been suggestions that the "Allah" controversy is a uniquely Peninsular Malaysia problem, not Sabah and Sarawak.

"If viewed from this angle, then the statement by Nazri certainly offers a clue as to the possible solution to the problem," he said, urging the Federal leaders to take notice of the need for proper consultation with the relevant parties.

Pairin expressed concern that the issue now has been highly politicised since PAS and PKR have issued statements to say they accept the use of the term "Allah" by Christians in the footsteps of Muslim majority countries such as Saudi Arabia and Indonesia where non-Muslim citizens can use the term" Allah" without any restriction.

Nonetheless, Pairin expressed confidence in the leadership of the Prime Minister who recognised and understood the issue from the perspectives of both sides.

He said he was grateful both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have given their firm assurances that the matter will be resolved amicably.

"PBS is confident the social maturity and the democratic values of the people of Malaysia will ensure the country will weather the storm of any racial or religious disputes arising out of misunderstanding," he said.

He said Malaysia must learn from the lessons of history that racial unity and religious harmony built over a period of 50 years cannot be taken for granted and should never be compromised.

Najib in Sabah

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will make a two-day official visit to Sabah starting Saturday.

Najib, who will be accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, is scheduled to open three meetings of Barisan Nasional component parties in Sabah during the visit.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman told reporters here on Friday that Najib would open the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) congress at a hotel upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu.

On Sunday, he would attend the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) congress at 1Borneo, near here, have lunch with Sabah Umno leaders and open the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) national convention at the Penampang Cultural Centre hall before returning to Kuala Lumpur. - Bernama

PKR Sabah is `melting'

Mr Kanul Gindol, ex-political secretary to Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan says Parti Keadilan Sabah is now melted and what is left was a small black bitter bean. This former executive Bernama journalist was commenting on the latest development of PKR Sabah's changed in leadership. (see story below)

"Di Sabah PKR sudah cair macam coklat kena matahari dan yang tinggal sebiji kacang hitam yang pahit," he said in a SMS to Aki Momogun last night.

Disrespect by PKR leadership: Jeffrey

Published HERE on: Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said the appointment of the new State liaison chief by party's Supreme Council on Sunday was made without taking into consideration the majority voices of its supporters in Sabah and Sarawak.

"It was a disappointment for the party's branch chiefs and members in Sabah because the appointment was not made based on the majority voiceÉmeaning there was no respect for the voices of majority in Sabah," he said.

"The concept of democracy, supposedly being practised, is not being practised," he told Daily Express when contacted in Kuala Lumpur Monday, on his way back to Sabah.

He was asked to comment on the appointment of Ahmad Thamrin Haji Jai as the new State liaison chief, succeeding Azmin Ali who is also the party's Vice President.

Congratulating Ahmad Thamrin who was the party's State liaison secretary and division chief for Libaran on his appointment, Jeffrey said he did not anticipate there would be any difference (on the decision-making process by the party's Supreme Council) from what has happened previously.

"But the party's supporters in Sabah and Sarawak are very disappointed that the voices of the majority were left unheard in the decision-making process," he said.

Jeffrey, who was actually also among those whose names were submitted to head the State PKR, said Sunday's decision does not mean the end of everything for him, including his position in the party.

Asked whether it would make him reconsider the offer made by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to return to the party, he said it has not crossed his mind.

"I do not think about that offer. I am actually going on long leave until January next year. And I would take this opportunity to have a re-look at the whole political scenario in SabahÉthere are still other ways to opt to," he said.

Ahmad Thamrin was appointed the new PKR Sabah liaison chief during the party's Supreme Council meeting held at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Monday. Azmin was previously the interim State liaison chief.

Meanwhile, Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) members in PKR have been urged to rethink their participation in the party, considering their presence is not appreciated by its supreme leadership.

United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Vice President, Datuk Siringan Gubat, who made the call Monday, invited them to join or return to support the Barisan Nasional (BN) instead.

He said the appointment of Ahmad Thamrin Haji Jai as the new State liaison chief to succeed Azmin Ali seems to suggest there are no more credible KDM leaders left in the PKR Sabah.

He said the PKR supreme leadership does not even care about the feelings of its KDM members in Sabah most of whom wanted Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan to be named as the new State liaison chief.

"At one time Dr Jeffrey seemed to be the flagbearer of the PKR Sabah and that's why many members of the KDM community were attracted to the party. But unfortunately Dr Jeffrey was replaced just before the last General Elections.

Many actually predicted they (PKR) could have won certain seats if he (Dr Jeffrey) was not replaced," said Siringan who is Ranau Member of Parliament.

He said Jeffrey now seems to be out of favour in PKR even at the national level.

"So all those KDM members of the PKR are now like anak-anak ayam kehilangan ibu (chicks without the mother hen) É I urge all of them including Dr Jeffrey to just abandon the PKR and join the BN instead," said Siringan.

PBS keeps Pairin

PENAMPANG: Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan remains the president of Parti Bersatu Sabah 24 years after he formed it.

He was returned unopposed when nomination papers for posts ahead of the party elections on Nov 8 and Nov 9 were revealed at its headquarters here on Thursday - Oct 22, 2009.

Two of his three deputies -- Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai -- were also returned to their posts while Datuk A.K. Aliuddin Pengiran Mohd Tahir will likely see a challenge.

Three senior party members qualified to contest for the Muslim Bumiputera deputy president's post he holds. They were former Youth chief Almudin Kaidam, Rakam Sijim and incumbent Youth chief Datuk Jahid Jahim.

Jahid, however, may likely stick to defending his post as he is challenged by Jikulin Nointin alias Jake Nointin who qualified by virtue of securing four nominations from the party divisions.

Joint nominations committee chairman Johnny Mositun revealed those nominated for posts had until Oct 27 to confirm their decision to contest or otherwise.

There will be no contests for the top Wanita posts as its chief Datin Jamilah Sulaiman and her deputies, Datin Genevieve Kitingan, Datin Malianah Ugau and Datin Vicky Yee, were returned unopposed.

The committee in the last two days had screened hundreds of nominations for the various posts and rejected some, including one for a former party member who is now in the opposition.

Pairin to continue leading PBS

Huguan Siou Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who has been Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president since the Sabah-based political party was formed in 1984 is all set to continue leading the party.

The Tambunan PBS Division, which he heads, held its meeting over the weekend returned him unopposed. As in previous party's election, the Tambunan assemblyman and Keningau member of Parliament, is likely to be opposed for the president post.

PBS's election will be held on Nov 7, 2009 at Hongkod Koisaan (the Kadazandusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) headquarters) at Jalan Penampang.

Pairin, who is also KDCA president, formed PBS after he was forced to leave Parti Berjaya Government, led by then Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh and of which Pairin was one of its Ministers, on Aug 16, 1984.

PBS was registered on Aug 6, 1984 and 46 days later, on April 22, 1985, the party won the State elections and Pairin was sworn as Sabah's 7th Chief Minister on April 22, 1985. Pairin has been Tambunan assemblyman since first winning the seat in the April 14, 1976 State elections.

Under the National Coalition Government, Pairin is now one of the three Sabah's Deputy Chief Ministers.