Eight SAPP branches dissolved, 553 members join PBS

KENINGAU: Five hundred and fifty Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) members from eight branches in Sook quit the party and joined the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) through Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) here yesterday.

Membership forms to join PBS were submitted to PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan at the opening of the PBS Sook Division annual general meeting at the community hall here.

The dissolution of eight SAPP branches followed former SAPP Sook deputy head Jake Jikah Sintah’s decision to leave the party and join BN through PBS.

Pairin, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, in his opening speech described the influx of new members to the party as proof that PBS is still relevant and accepted by the people, especially those from Sook and Pensiangan.

“The PBS struggle is for the people, state and future generations. The participation of new members in PBS from around the state will return the fame and glory of PBS in 1985,” he said.

He said the strength of PBS involved the establishment of more branches, including the participation of new members.

Pairin, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development, added in every election, issues of candidates often arose, and PBS would study and discuss with the BN leadership on candidate issues involving PBS leaders.

“In addition to showing the greatness of spirit, all details about the leaders should be sent to me as soon as possible as a guide to help me when discussing with the BN leadership,” he said.

He said PBS was always committed to its struggle for the people and at 27 years, PBS was more mature, playing a very important role in the political arena and the development of the state and country.

As the second largest party in the state, he said PBS had contributed to BN’s victory in the last general election and PBS would also continue to support the BN government and contribute to the leadership of the country in terms of ideas, suggestions and cooperation in an effort to drive unity, peace, political stability and national development.

“PBS’ participation in BN is a smart and strategic action to ensure that the state continues to unite together, work together and mutually help each other as a big family.

“PBS is with the other BN component parties in the administrative and policy support of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak on the economic transformation program that Najib pioneered to make Malaysia a developed nation by 2020,” he said.

Pairin called on PBS leaders at all levels to prepare and move the entire election machinery to face the 13th general election to be held anytime soon.

He requested that all party members maintain mutual understanding and enhance cooperation as a team to ensure BN’s victory in the general election.

“All PBS leaders must go to the ground to reach out to the people and to address and solve their problems, and in addition, to continue close relationship between the leaders and the people.

“I believe with the high level of commitment, PBS will continue to have a place in the people’s hearts as well as Sabah BN partners; strong and able to contribute to BN in the coming election,” he said.

A total of 500 delegates and observers from PBS Sook Division, including divisional head Datuk Dr Bernard S Maraat, PBS deputy president Datuk Almudin Rule, vice-presidents Datuk Radin Malleh and Datuk Dr Othman Minuddin, Youth chief Datuk Jahid Jahim, members of the supreme council Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Datuk Louis Rampas, organizing chairman and deputy head of Sook Division, Ronny Rusikan, Sook committee members, Women and Youth division attended the meeting.