Those who left PCS feared party reshuffle, says Anifah

 

Anifah Aman said those who quit Parti Cinta Sabah were candidates who had been rejected by the people at the last Sabah elections. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: After a sudden exodus of party leaders, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) president Anifah Aman said those who quit the party today had been worried that they may not be appointed to important positions under an internal reshuffle.

Anifah said there have been demands from the grassroots for the party leadership to implement the reshuffle in order to strengthen PCS’ struggle for the people.

However, the former foreign minister accepted the leaders’ decision to quit, saying it was all part and parcel of politics.

“As mature politicians, we cannot stop them from leaving. It is their right to chart their own course in the nation’s political scene,” he said in a statement here today.

He recorded his gratitude to those who chose to leave, urging them to continue to fight for the rights of Sabahans.

According to party sources, those who left are said to have been “shaken” by talk of the internal reshuffle which then influenced their decision to quit.

Earlier today, PCS vice-president Ewon Ebin, speaking on behalf of the departing group, said their decision followed pressure from members and the party grassroots who questioned the direction of the party.

Ebin said PCS fared badly during the Sabah elections last year and since then, there have been no communications or party meetings between Supreme Council members, divisional committees, youth and women wings.

Other Supreme Council members who chose to resign included Amru Abdul Kadir, an elected vice-president, Kalakau Untol, Herman Tiongsoh, Norbert Chin and Denis Gimpah.

Anifah, however, said most of those who left were leaders who had contested in the state elections but lost their deposits.

“I wish to stress that PCS will remain firm in its efforts to continue fighting for Sabah rights, particularly involving the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he said.

At the same time, he dismissed claims that the mass exodus will spell the end of PCS. On the contrary, he said Sabahans have been more receptive towards the party now. - FMT