Latest news with #PBK
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
No ‘opportunists': Sarawak-based Parti Bumi Kenyalang eyes Sabah seats, tells potential recruits to fund their own campaigns
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 9 — Sarawak-based Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has also set its sights on contesting in the upcoming Sabah state elections. Its president, Voon Lee Shan, said the party will first conduct thorough vetting of each potential candidate before allowing them to contest under its banner, stressing they must be committed to PBK's objectives and the fight for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak. Voon claimed that many individuals had approached PBK to offer themselves as candidates, but the party would scrutinise them closely and be selective. 'Those who want to be candidates are welcome, but they will not be sponsored by the party. We accept candidates from various backgrounds of Sabahans. They must be able to fund their campaign activities. We do not want opportunists,' he said after officiating the launch of Sabah PBK near Penampang today. He said the party has yet to decide how many seats it will contest. On partnerships, Voon made it clear that PBK will only work with local Sabah parties that share their cause. 'We will not accept cooperation from Peninsular-based parties,' he stressed. Voon added that the party's push for independence for Sabah and Sarawak remains central to its political agenda. Asked why he believes PBK can win Sabahans' trust despite limited support in Sarawak, Voon said it was due to shared issues and concerns, noting that PBK Sabah is led by locals who uphold the 'Sabah for Sabahans' belief.. Former nominated assemblyman Datuk Ronnie Loh has been appointed as deputy chairman of PBK, and his wife, Soh Kee Suat, as Sabah chairman. PBK was registered in 2013 and formed to fight for the independence of Sabah and Sarawak. Another Sarawak party, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) led by Datuk Larry Sng, will contest independently in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election. Among the constituencies PBM is eyeing are Bandau, Tanjung Papat and Kadamaian. — The Borneo Post
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Struggling Sarawak PBK expands into Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: Sarawak-based Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), which has struggled to gain traction in its home state, is now trying its luck in Sabah ahead of the upcoming state election. PBK president Voon Lee Shan announced the launch of the party's Sabah chapter and invited people to step forward as potential candidates. 'Those who wish to stand as candidates must fund their own campaign. We do not want opportunists,' he said at the launch ceremony here yesterday. At the event, former nominated assemblyman Datuk Ronnie Loh – who was previously with DAP and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat – was named deputy chairman, while his wife Soh Kee Suat was appointed as Sabah chairman. Soh, a former aide to several local assemblymen, also served as private secretary to Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat during his tenure as chief minister in the early 2000s. Voon said that while many had offered to contest under PBK's banner, the party would vet all applicants carefully. He reiterated that the party's core struggle – advocating for the independence of Sabah and Sarawak – would remain central to its political agenda. Asked why he believed PBK could win support in Sabah when it had yet to do so in Sarawak, Voon said many Sabahans were now facing similar frustrations and concerns, adding that PBK's Sabah leadership comprises locals who uphold the 'Sabah for Sabahans' belief.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Failed Sarawak party hopes for better luck here
Published on: Saturday, August 09, 2025 Published on: Sat, Aug 09, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Voon (third left) and Soh (centre) with other members at the launch ceremony. Kota Kinabalu: A Sarawak-based party that failed to win any seat in that state the past 10 years feels it may have better luck in Sabah's coming election. Saying its move to expand to Sabah is also justified because 'the hornbill also flies to Sabah' Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) on Friday became the first Sarawak party to formally establish a presence in the State. The hornbill is synonymous to Sarawak. Advertisement PBK President Voon Lee Shan said the party aims to raise awareness of constitutional rights and the right to self-determination for both Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia. 'We want to work with any local party that prioritises Sabah's rights. We are here to give Sabahans a new choice and to continue our efforts to claim what rightly belongs to Sabah and Sarawak,' he said. PBK is not part of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the ruling coalition in Sarawak. He said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must be upheld in full and that PBK supports any political movement in Sabah that shares this objective. The PBK Sabah Chapter is led by Datin Soh Kee Kuat as its inaugural chairperson. Advertisement Soh said the chapter will focus on spreading awareness about the party's mission and work with grassroots leaders throughout Sabah in preparation for the state election. 'We will go to the ground to listen and speak to the people. We want to remind Sabahans of the promises made under MA63 that have yet to be fulfilled,' she said. The party is identifying potential candidates and constituencies and contest in areas where there is sufficient ground support. 'No final decision has been made on the number of seats to be contested,' she said. Former Nominated Assemblyman Datuk Ronnie Loh has also been appointed as deputy chairman of the Sabah chapter. It contested 73 out of 82 seats in the 2021 state election but did not win any. Voon said the party remains open to collaborations, but only with groups that share its ideals on autonomy and Bornean identity. Also present at the launch were PBK Permanent Honorary Chairman Yii Ching Luk, Youth Group Chief Moh Hiong King, other party committee members and supporters. * 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
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Another Sarawak party targets Sabah polls
Voon (sixth right), Soh (seventh left) and Ronnie (sixth left) with Sabah PBK leaders. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 8): Sarawak-based Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has also set its sights on contesting in the upcoming Sabah state elections. Its president, Voon Lee Shan, said the party will first conduct thorough vetting of each potential candidate before allowing them to contest under its banner, stressing they must be committed to PBK's objectives and the fight for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak. Voon claimed that many individuals had approached PBK to offer themselves as candidates, but the party would scrutinise them closely and be selective. 'Those who want to be candidates are welcome, but they will not be sponsored by the party. We accept candidates from various backgrounds of Sabahans. They must be able to fund their campaign activities. We do not want opportunists,' he said after officiating the launch of Sabah PBK near Penampang today. He said the party has yet to decide how many seats it will contest. On partnerships, Voon made it clear that PBK will only work with local Sabah parties that share their cause. 'We will not accept cooperation from Peninsular-based parties,' he stressed. Voon added that the party's push for independence for Sabah and Sarawak remains central to its political agenda. Asked why he believes PBK can win Sabahans' trust despite limited support in Sarawak, Voon said it was due to shared issues and concerns, noting that PBK Sabah is led by locals who uphold the 'Sabah for Sabahans' belief.. Former nominated assemblyman Datuk Ronnie Loh has been appointed as deputy chairman of PBK, and his wife, Soh Kee Suat, as Sabah chairman. PBK was registered in 2013 and formed to fight for the independence of Sabah and Sarawak. Another Sarawak party, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) led by Datuk Larry Sng, will contest independently in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election. Among the constituencies PBM is eyeing are Bandau, Tanjung Papat and Kadamaian.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Parti Bumi Kenyalang launches Sabah Chapter ahead of state polls
Published on: Friday, August 08, 2025 Published on: Fri, Aug 08, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Voon (fifth, right) and Soh (sixth, right) taking a group photo with PBK's members at the launch. KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) officially launched its Sabah Chapter on Friday as part of preparations for the 17th State Election. The event was officiated by PBK President Voon Lee Sha, witnessed by Sabah Chapter Chairperson Datin Soh Kee Kuat, party leaders and local supporters. Advertisement Voon said PBK seeks to provide Sabahans with a democratic platform to reclaim rights within the Federation, in line with both domestic and international law. He highlighted key concerns including federal control over oil and gas revenues, loss of maritime territory and the erosion of state autonomy. Soh said PBK will only field vetted candidates who are committed nationalists, inviting interested Sabahans to step forward for PRN-17. * 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
