Don't just be proud of being oldest party but do more, PBS members told

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) leaders and members must continue the process of rejuvenation as it cannot rest on its laurels, says deputy party president Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

He said they should not be "obsessed with and proud of the name of the oldest party in the state" but fail to do anything for its continued growth.

He said all PBS leaders and members need to make sacrifices as they are fighting together for the people of Sabah.

"We need to continue working hard together for the sake of the party and the people. We prioritise the interests of PBS and the people of Sabah, not our own.

"Let us strengthen our grassroots, not because we are the oldest party in Sabah but because we are a principled, disciplined and united party," he said at the joint opening of PBS' Kundasang and Karanaan divisions' annual general meeting in Ranau on Sunday (June 18).

The Deputy Chief Minister said the party has struggled since its formation in 1984 and has achieved many successes in its fight for the people.

Among them, he said, was the recently passed anti-party hopping law for Sabah, ending the two-year Sabah Chief Minister rotation system when it joined Barisan Nasional in 2002 for the sake of stability of the state, and preventing Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) from being turned into the People's Festival.

He said PBS also consistently spoke up on illegal immigrant issues in Sabah.

"Today, many other local parties have continued on the same platform (as PBS)," he added.

He said all divisions and branches must continue to strengthen the membership and loyalty of PBS members as well as attract more youths to join the party.

"PBS is currently in an effort to rejuvenate the party with the entry of many young leaders as well as professionals.

"These are the ones who will be able to promote the party and attract more youths," he said.

Dr Joachim reiterated the party's commitment towards Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and its coalition partners.

"We work with all GRS component parties, we respect each other and practice a transparent, fair and equitable power-sharing formula," he added.