Sincerity key to successful merger
Published on: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
By: Agust Dean
Pairin (centre) during the press conference at Hongkod Koisaan yesterday.
PENAMPANG: Sincerity in working together is key to a successful merger of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), says PBS founder and Premier Advisor Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
He said it is good to unite and work together for the common good.
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“But what is important is the sincerity in wanting to shake hands, be friends and work towards a common goal,” he told a press conference at Hongkod Koisaan, here, Monday.
Last month, in a joint statement, PBS and Star had said that they would sign an agreement to seal the cooperation between the two Sabah-based parties before the coming Chinese New Year in February.
They said discussions centred on the formulation of details on the cooperation between the two political outfits that could contribute towards strengthening the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition ahead of the 17th Sabah elections, which is due in 2025.
Pairin, a former Chief Minister, said the negotiations are still underway, so let the PBS-Star leadership committee deliberate and conduct a meeting to determine the best next steps in establishing the cooperation.
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Asked if the collaboration was in keeping with his objectives as the founder of PBS, Pairin said he was not on the committee, but if one was formed, it should be for the betterment and development of Sabah.
Earlier, he said as the Huguan Siou and KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA) President, Pairin said the appeal of over 2,000 residents from six districts who are desperate to defend customary land that has been occupied for generations will be conveyed to the Government for action.
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He said a special task force should be formed to look into land grant applications made in each of the districts involved.
The State Government, with the support of district officials and assistance from the special task force, can assess whether the land sought belongs to the State Government or another party.
He said the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation had conveyed the residents’ request to the Federal Government, State Government and Yang di-Pertua Agong.
“Because it includes the Orang Asal community, KDCA will convey to the State Government once more to resolve the problem of land ownership in the six districts affected,” he said.
The six districts are Tongod, Tawau, Nabawan, Tenom, Keningau and Ranau.
Pairin said the land issue is tied to the legal process and State Government policy, and that the KDCA can only help convey the residents’ appeal to the Government.
“That is why I propose forming a special task group to look deeper into the long-standing land-related concerns.
“When there is an appeal that demonstrates this type of dissatisfaction, the Government should handle it so that it can be resolved legally,” he said.
Pairin said while KDCA does not make the decision, it will endeavour to help convey the indigenous people’s problems to the Government so that prompt action can be taken.
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