Analyst: PBS still relevant without Kitingan, but lots of work to do

Former PBS president Joseph Pairin Kitingan (right) with his successor, Maximus Ongkili. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is still relevant despite losing its charismatic leader and founder Joseph Pairin Kitingan, but it has a lot of work to do to strengthen itself, a political analyst says.

Arnold Puyok.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak deputy dean Arnold Puyok told FMT that overall, PBS was still a strong party and could leverage on its decisive win in one Muslim Bumiputera and five Kadazandusun seats in the May 9 general election to position itself as a formidable player in Sabah.

Pairin had stepped down as PBS president earlier this month to make way for Maximus Ongkili, who won unopposed.

Puyok said Ongkili would have to tackle several issues if PBS were to become the force it once was.

“First of all, Ongkili must improve the party’s image and attract more new members. PBS has strong and very appealing core struggles but it has failed in convincing young people to join the party.

“There are many young people who are attracted to PBS’ progressive platform but are discouraged by the old guards’ lukewarm attitude towards them.”

Puyok added that the party’s broader policy outlook and experience in representing multiracial Sabah would make it more attractive to young people.

However, he said questions remained as to whether the party was ready to allow fresh and young blood to be part of its rejuvenation programme.

“If Warisan has Jo-Anna Rampas and Darell Leiking, and Upko has Ewon Benedict, Nelson Angang, Felix Saang, etc, who are the emerging young leaders in PBS?”

Puyok also noted that while PBS espoused multiracialism, it was heavily Kadazandusun, with non-Kadazandusun and Chinese members abandoning the party in droves.

He suggested that the party improve its multiracial composition and, more drastically, amend its constitution to allow the party presidency to be rotated among the key ethnic groups in Sabah.

Another step Ongkili could take, he said, was to focus on economic issues without straying from the party’s core regional struggles.

“PBS should talk more about things like how to create employment opportunities for young Sabahans, how to make Sabah an attractive place for investments and so on.

“I believe PBS can make a lot of difference if it can relate the Malaysia Agreement 1963, autonomy and Sabah’s constitutional rights with the people’s daily needs.

“In other words, I think Ongkili should take on Sabah issues not as an academic but as a policymaker,” he said.

On Monday, Ongkili announced a fresh leadership line-up featuring a mix of experienced politicians and newcomers as the party continues its reform efforts.

The new president said it was his hope that these leaders would be able to inject new ideas and help PBS reach greater heights.

PBS is one of four parties that form the local opposition bloc Gabungan Bersatu Sabah. The others are Sabah Umno, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah. - FMT