INANAM: As the longest surviving multiracial party, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) would continue to take the lead in promoting racial and religious tolerance.
Its Secretary-General Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said championing the interest of all community, irrespective of race and religion, has always been the trademark of PBS struggle.
“While many political parties who preached multiracial politics has since dissolved, PBS has remained relevant because it holds fast to the principle of promoting racial and religious harmony,” he said when officiating the Inanam PBS division annual general meeting at the residence of its divisional chief, Fredoline Totin Bangon, here, today.
To illustrate his point, Bangkuai said the PBS Supreme Council is made up of leaders from the various communities in Sabah.
Citing the existing harmonious ties and understanding among the State’s plural society, he was optimistic that Sabah, under the Government Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government, would continue to be a prime example when it comes to upholding racial and religious tolerance.
“I foresee racial and religious tolerance in Sabah to continue to flourish under the GRS State Government, led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, which gives emphasis to moderation,” he said.
On the party’s failure to recapture the Inanam seat in the recent state election, Bangkuai said PBS members and supporters should not be disheartened, but instead close ranks and work hard towards strengthening the party.
“Inanam used to be a PBS stranglehold and there is no reason we could not regain the seat in the feature if we start working from now,” he said to loud applause of approval from those present.
The AGM saw Bangkuai receiving 78 new PBS membership applications.
PBS won the Inanam seat in its maiden general election foray in 1985 and continued to hold the seat until the 2013 general elections.
In the 16th state election in September last year, PBS candidate Datuk William Majimbon came in second in a multi cornered fight for the Inanam seat which was won by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Pito Galim with a majority of over 5,000 votes.
