PBS: Local parties must lead Sabah government to reflect people's aspirations
Julita
KOTA KINABALU (May 13): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has reaffirmed its belief that local political parties should form the core leadership of the state government to ensure Sabah's future is shaped by the aspirations and needs of its people.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Julita Majungki, said that local parties possess a distinct advantage through their deep understanding of Sabah's unique ethnic diversity, geographical challenges and cultural richness.
'Local parties are born from the grassroots of Sabah. Leadership that reflects the people's heartbeat enables the creation of policies that truly address the rakyat's needs. This is essential for development that benefits all layers of society,' she said in a statement on Tuesday.
Julita outlined several strengths of local parties, including their ability to develop context-specific policies, their sensitivity to issues such as native customary rights and rural infrastructure, their capacity for faster decision-making, and their commitment to defending Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
'Local leaders understand the real challenges faced by the people and are more capable of formulating effective, practical solutions. Local parties are not only efficient in governance, but also in steering Sabah toward a sustainable and progressive future,' she added.
PBS also expressed strong support for recent remarks by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who advocated for local parties to serve as the backbone of the state government — even if it means contesting the upcoming 17th state election (PRN17) independently.
Julita said this message aligns with PBS's long-standing position of championing grassroots leadership for Sabah.
'The GRS chairman's statement is a recognition of the strength and vital role of local parties. PBS welcomes this call and is fully committed to building a stable, united and people-focused state government,' she said.
She urged Sabahans — especially the youth and those in rural communities — to view the upcoming election as a vital opportunity to elect leaders who genuinely understand, listen to, and serve with sincerity.
'Now is the time for us to stand tall as Sabahans. Local parties are not just an option — they are essential for securing a just, prosperous, and sovereign future for our beloved state. GRS is the best platform to realise this vision,' Julita concluded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
29 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Prime Minister's decision is wise and timely, says Upko
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 Text Size: Joseph said this approach of strategic autonomy would not strengthen the party machinery and allow component parties to discuss seat sharing and cooperation in the field. Kota Kinabalu: The Prime Minister's decision to let Sabah Pakatan Harapan take the lead in facing the coming state election is a wise and timely move, says Upko. Its Youth Chief Felix Joseph Saang said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent statement asking Sabah Pakatan to take the lead in electoral pact negotiations, among other matters, showed his confidence in the political maturity and capability of the coalition's state leaders. The decision to have Datuk Ewon Benedick leading these negotiations also acknowledges the need to let local leaders strategise based on Sabah's political realities and sentiments, he added in a statement Wednesday. On Thursday (May 29), Anwar had said Sabah Pakatan would take charge of discussing seat arrangements, forging pacts and other matters related to the state polls. Joseph said this approach of strategic autonomy would not strengthen the party machinery and allow component parties to discuss seat sharing and cooperation in the field. 'Sabah has different, complex political backgrounds and, therefore, the decision to allow us to have full (authority) in the coming state election enables us to draw up a more inclusive, localised and focused strategy,' he said. He said the main focus was on Sabah's development, strengthening the State and giving more attention to local issues, including rural development, poverty and state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Joseph said Ewon would be able to lead the way in forming strategic partnerships among coalitions. He said youth leaders within Sabah Pakatan will also support all initiatives and plans agreed upon by the leadership while going to the grassroots and actively sharing information on development agendas, policies and related matters. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Joining GRS was a clear choice: Joniston
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 Text Size: Joniston emphasised that some critics bring up PBS's past to score political points but forget that many ideas PBS supported before are now accepted by others. - FMT pic Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) cum Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said PBS has always fought for Sabah's autonomy. He said Umno Information Chief cum Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir's statement 'does not need a long reply', and stressed that PBS believes Sabah should be led by parties based in the State, making decisions that fit Sabah's needs. 'PBS has always stood for Sabah to be governed by its own people, with leaders who protect our rights and respect our identity,' he said. He admitted PBS's history is not perfect but said the party has always fought for fair treatment in Malaysia and a strong voice for the State. Joniston emphasised that some critics bring up PBS's past to score political points but forget that many ideas PBS supported before are now accepted by others. 'We were once criticised for asking for stronger local leadership and Sabah's rights. Now, those ideas are supported by former opponents,' he said. He said PBS left Barisan Nasional (BN) after careful thought, asking if it was best for Sabah. Joining GRS was a clear choice to work with local parties focused on Sabah's growth. Answering Suhaimi's insult calling him 'immature,' Joniston said PBS's strength comes from how it serves Sabah, defends its rights and builds a better future, not from old alliances. Looking ahead, Joniston is hopeful about Sabah's progress with GRS leading the State and working with the Federal Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He highlighted key wins like the federal special annual grant rising from RM50 million to RM600 million, and efforts to get back 40 per cent of Sabah's revenue from the Federal Government. Another important step is the deal between Sabah and Petronas, which lets local companies take part in the State's oil and gas industry, helping Sabah's revenue reach RM6.9 billion last year. 'With GRS leading and good teamwork with the Federal Government, Sabah is moving forward towards a brighter future,' Joniston said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
Sabah Umno must accept reality
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Nizam said Umno still cannot accept the fact that within a coalition of political parties, the party with the highest number of seats has the priority to lead the coalition. TAWAU: Sabah Umno needs to accept the reality that it is no longer the political 'big brother' as it continues to lose support both nationally and in Sabah where the people are tired of the same old script, said Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Information Chief Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan. He said the current Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government has chosen to look forward by forging a strategic partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to ensure post-GE15 stability and in preparation for the 17th State Election (PRN17). 'Ultimately, real power does not lie in the hands of any individual, party, or propaganda — but in the hands of the people… Let the people of Sabah judge who is truly working and who is merely acting,' he said, in a statement, Wednesday. The Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister said he read with interest the remarks by Kota Kinabalu Umno Division Chief and Umno Women's Exco member Musliati Moslimin, who claimed that Umno is not a 'political tool,' not a 'script filler' and not a 'buyer of false promises.' Ironically, he said, such statements come from a party with a long history of writing political scripts full of loopholes — including in Sabah. Nizam said during the 2020 Sabah state election, history clearly showed who actually violated agreements and moral principles when, just two days before nomination day, Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) had agreed to contest 27 seats. 'However, when the time came, they contested 41 seats, which was not only a breach of understanding but also caused confusion and early cracks in the coalition. 'If they want to talk about 'dignity' and 'betrayal,' Umno should first reflect on its own historical record,' he said. Nizam, also Apas Assemblyman, said Umno still cannot accept the fact that within a coalition of political parties, the party with the highest number of seats has the priority to lead the coalition. He said GRS, which Musliati labelled as a coalition of 'splinter parties,' managed to secure the highest number of seats and therefore had the right to choose the Sabah Chief Minister—something that is not a betrayal, but the foundation of real democracy. 'Even more surprising is that Musliati did not mention the 'Kinabalu Move' incident in January 2023, when several Umno leaders, including Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, were involved in an attempt to overthrow the existing government,' he said. According to him, the actions of Bung and several other Umno leaders not only threatened the State's stability but also gambled with the people's mandate. Therefore, he said, their removal from the State Cabinet and positions in agencies was the Chief Minister's prerogative in order to safeguard the State's stability and interests. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
