RESOLVING THE PERENNIAL SABAH PROBLEMS WOULD BE A POSITIVE START TO THE 13TH GENERAL ELECTION - PAIRIN

Perennial Sabah problems must be fixed – Pairin

PENAMPANG November 12, 2010: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan has again stressed on the need for the Barisan Nasional government to resolve the perennial problems affecting Sabah.

Pairin, in his welcoming address at the opening PBS delegates meeting by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Hongkod Koisaan here yesterday, said resolving the problems would be a positive start to the 13th general election.

According to him, PBS as well as other BN component parties in Sabah have been highlighting these issues for a long time but no concrete solution to the problems has been reached.

Among the issues which have continuously been raised were the perennial illegal immigrant problem, unbalanced infrastructure development and education which included the facilities and requirements of mission schools and Chinese vernacular schools.

“While PBS affirms its support to the 1Malaysia concept as well as the government transformation programs, we Sabahans want to see the illegal immigrants issue, unemployment, infrastructure problems and Bumiputeras getting a piece of the economy ‘cake’ be given serious attention.

“This would create a new page in history and is a positive move before the 13th general election,” Pairin who is also Deputy Chief Minister cum Infrastructure Development Minister said.

He also added that this year’s congress was a milestone for the party as it signifies PBS’ struggles in the last 25 years which was full of bitter sweet memories as well as difficult challenges.

“PBS has left and returned to BN’s fold… all these experiences have made the party more matured in its political struggles in Sabah and we will continue to ensure that the party remains strong as well as to continuously cooperate with BN and its component parties,” he said.

As the Coalition’s second largest component party in Sabah, PBS is committed in assisting the government to realise the national mission for the country, he said adding that they are spurred by the innovative and creative initiatives as well as transformation approaches implemented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to bring Malaysia a step forward in the international arena.