KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has confirmed his intention to run in the 13th general election, quashing rumours of his early retirement.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Shell Traffic Educational programme here yesterday, the state's long-serving assemblyman said the plan was to defend both his Keningau parliamentary seat and Tambunan state seat.
Pairin, 72, who is also Sabah's deputy chief minister, said he planned to retire by the 14th general election.
"How do they know? You should quote what I said also -- that I am ready to contest," Pairin said of various online news quoting party insiders who claimed that he would be slowing down in the coming election.
A Free Malaysia Today article yesterday claimed that Pairin would not contest the larger Keningau seat, which covers three state constituencies, but that he was still keen to be renominated as Tambunan assemblyman.
The Huguan Siou, or paramount leader of the Kadazandusun community, was also said to be concerned about a possible negative impact on morale within PBS if he withdrew from the state political scene.
"I will retire, but not for this election.
"What I have planned and what I've discussed with my colleagues, is to contest this coming general election but not in the elections after that. I want to retire in the 14th general election. I hope those people concerned will be happy."
Pairin has been Tambunan state assemblyman for 36 years since 1976 when he first won the seat under a Berjaya ticket. Pairin won and has retained the Keningau seat since 1986.
On the latest progress of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants in Sabah, Pairin said the state government thankful that the letters of appointment were finally presented to the RCI panel members in Putrajaya yesterday.
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Pairin will win, not because he is the Huguan Siou, but because of his proven track record..
BalasPadamWish him luck in his retirement.
Padamisu ni tidak perlulah disensasikan sangat.. ada banyak isu lain yang lebih layak di ketengahkan.. malah isu Anwar mahu resign selepas PRU13 juga patut lebih sensasi dari pairin..
BalasPadamyang penting, usaha pembangunan di Sabah harus terus dibuat.
PadamApa yang penting ialah sikap keterbukaan beliau dalam mengemukankan niat untuk berehat.
Padamdengan kelantangan Pairin dalam beberapa siri isu rakyat Sabah tidak menggambarkan bahawa beliau akan bersara pada PRU13 ini..
BalasPadamLet him rest for his life, I mean he should take a rest now.
PadamBiar betul Datuk Pairin akan bersara selepas PRU13 ini. Apa pun itu adalah pilihan beliau.
BalasPadamPairin memang dipuji oleh banyak pihak sebagai pemimpin yang berjiwa rakyat.
Padamjika itu keputusan dia, kena terimanya.
PadamKalau kita lihat sekarang ini pun banyak jasa Datuk Pairin kepada penduduk Sabah. Kita patut mengetahui semua itu.
BalasPadampemimpin2 muda harus mencontohi pairin.
PadamKita harap pemimpin akan datang sama seperti Datuk Pairin yang mampu memperjuangkan hak dan kepentingan penduduk Sabah.
BalasPadampairin merupakan pemimpin yang dihormati dan disegani.
BalasPadamsukar nak cari pemimpin sepertinya.
Padamrakyat pasti akan tetap menyokong beliau dan mengenang jasa beliau.
BalasPadamWell, we as his supporters, should support him in whatever decision he is going to make.
BalasPadamApa pun kita doakan yang terbaik buat beliau.
BalasPadamJasa dan sumbangan Pairin harus dihargai
PadamPBS masih relevant sehingga sekarang. PSB parti politik lama di Sabah
BalasPadamapapun keputusan yang dia ambil, hormat saja la.. inilah contoh pemimpin yang mengambil berat dengan masa depan negeri sabah..
BalasPadamsepatutnya Yong Teck Lee juga patut bersara selepas PRU13.. beliau sudah pernah memegang jawatan KM Sabah dan pernah membuatkan negeri ini hampir bankrap..
BalasPadam