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| PBS is moving to make its presence felt among Sabahans residing in Peninsular Malaysia. |
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) powerhouse, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), is set to officially launch its “Kelab Bersatu” or United Club in the peninsula this year, a move made following requests from Sabahans staying there.
Party leader, Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also the paramount leader of the Kadazandusun community, said they had originally planned the programme for Johor but due to unforeseen circumstances it had been delayed.
“We are just starting to set up the club in the peninsula…we will see later what will happen from there onward,” he said, but added that the club is expected to be officially launched this year.
“This (move) follows many requests from Sabahans currently staying in the peninsula… this is a sign that the party received support from people particularly Sabahans there who believe in its struggles for Sabah,” he said.
PBS’ United Club will allow the party to join the fray and compete with Upko and Umno for the support of Sabahans staying or working in the peninsula.
Pairin, however, said it should not be perceived as a competitor because “we are only responding to the requests made by Sabahans in the peninsula who want this club to be formed so as to enable them to have a link with the party while being there.”
He said only a small number of those who made the requests are party members while the majority want to join the party.
This is the party’s second attempt to expand to the peninsula. Its first attempt to expand to Peninsular Malaysia in the 1990s was rejected by the Registrar of Society (ROS).
“It is common for a party to expand further, which we will start from wherever possible… then (in the 1990s) the situation did not permit us to do that… we need to act by taking into account the situation,” he said but declined to elaborate.
He speaking to reporters after a briefing at the Public Works Department headquarters here yesterday.
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