TAMBUNAN: Tambunan, which has been the political heart of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) since its inception will continue to remain as the party's political base.
This was despite the party losing its traditional Tambunan state and Keningau parliamentary seats to its political partner in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said party president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
Ongkli said PBS was born in this interior location and the party remains sentimental in the hearts of many middle-aged and elderly people of Tambunan.
"Despite losing the Tambunan state and Keningau parliamentary seats... we must not be disheartened and instead continue to recognise the district as our political base.
"This is a wake up call for PBS and a signal that there is a dire need to reorganise both Tambunan and Keningau," he said at the party's Tambunan division's 35th Annual General Meeting here, today.
Ongkili stressed that reorganisation of the party is already underway from its three divisions in Keningau, namely Tambunan, Liawan and Bingkor, and it would be appealing to the younger generation.
"Our desire now is to convince the younger generation to realise PBS' struggles, observe the party's successes and experiences. New parties come and go. When election comes, they emerge, and when they fail to win any seats, they are gone," he said.
Ongkili added that PBS is preparing the ground to re-stake its claim for the Keningau parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election.
He said the party's mission now is to welcome and nurture young leaders, expressing hope it would be able to attract new leaders who will bring in new ideas and expertise to rejuvenate PBS.
"Let's continue our struggles and get the young people to embrace our missions and visions... PBS is here to stay and Tambunan will have a major role in rebuilding PBS," he assured.
PBS founder president and former chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan held the Tambunan state seat since 1976 and the Keningau parliamentary seat since 1985.
In the 2018 General Election, Pairin failed to defend both the seats, losing to his younger brother Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is the president of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR).
Pairin has since retired from politics and has taken up the role as party adviser.
