Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), the oldest local political party in Sabah, is celebrating its 39th anniversary and is calling for more young members to join the party in order to bring a fresh perspective. PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili acknowledged the party’s remarkable journey over nearly four decades but emphasized the need for continued efforts to regain past glory and enhance performance in future elections.
Ongkili stressed the importance of not becoming complacent, especially considering that the party currently only holds seven state seats and one parliamentary seat. Despite being the oldest state party, PBS is focused on incorporating new ideas and welcoming young people with different experiences and political achievements to join.
Addressing the need for active promotion of the party, Ongkili expressed confidence in gaining support from individuals as young as 18 in the upcoming elections. His message was delivered by PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, with PBS premier advisor Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan also present at the event.
Ongkili highlighted PBS’s role as a key player in driving positive developments in Sabah but acknowledged the challenge posed by the emergence of new parties during election periods. He emphasized the importance of developing a new generation of young party leaders to ensure PBS’s continued strength and relevance.
Challenging the traditional perception that only mature individuals can lead, Ongkili emphasized the need to re-evaluate leadership qualities that align with current needs and changes. He also affirmed that the state Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition remains the best political pact to govern Sabah, despite facing obstacles such as the prevalent ‘political frog’ culture.
Ongkili pointed out that Sabah experiences a higher level of party-switching compared to other states, posing a significant challenge for GRS. Despite the existence of anti-party hopping laws, he warned against the possibility of creative tactics to bypass such regulations and emphasized the importance of proactive measures to address this issue.
