KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili’s decision to hand over the party leadership to his deputy Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam is a sensible move, says Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
"As an ex-president of PBS, I believe a transition is good and sensible and will have an impact for the party to move forward," he told reporters when asked to comment on Ongkili's decision.
Pairin, 84, said Ongkili has not been well and has difficulty talking due to his illness.
Pairin, who is the party's founding president, said Ongkili's decision to take leave provides an opportunity for party leaders to focus on discussions about an electoral pact with Sabah STAR led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is Deputy Chief Minister I.
He said it was important for both PBS and Sabah STAR to move forward in working together ahead of the next state election.
Both parties are in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition and are working on ensuring a united approach (or seat sharing) in the contests for non-Muslim native seats with majority Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus communities.
"I am hoping that the discussion between PBS and Sabah STAR will have positive results in Sabah," he said, adding that he believed that the two parties were planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
On Saturday (April 6), PBS secretary general Datuk Julita Majungki announced that Ongkili will be taking leave as president and will hand over duties to Dr Joachim, who is Deputy Chief Minister II.
The party information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai will sit in as acting deputy president (for non-Muslim native quota) held by Joachim.
PBS’ party elections are scheduled during next year's party congress.
Pairin, who was founding president of PBS that led the party to topple Parti Berjaya state government in 1985, had stepped aside for Ongkili to take over the party in 2018.
Pairin remains a Premier Advisor to the PBS and holds sway among the party's old guard.
