KOTA KINABALU: Calls from the grassroots and the party leadership made Parti Bersatu President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan decide to defend his Tambunan state seat for a record 11 terms.
Pairin, who had announced his decision to retire from politics before this, was among 60 candidates listed by the Sabah Barisan Nasional here for the state seats in the 14th General Election on May 9.
The 78-year-old deputy chief minister however will not be seeking re-election for the Keningau parliamentary constituency, a seat he held since 1986, 10 years after he became the Tambunan state representative in 1976.
“I really want to retire but somehow I have to listen to calls from my friends in the part and local community who wants me to continue serving Tambunan.
"They want to have a go, one more time, since there are still some things I can help to complete our unfinished struggles,” said Pairin who is also the Huguan Siou or paramount leader for the Kadazandusun and Murut community.
“When we think from an angle on what we can do for the people, the government and the state, we have to agree with the appeals from our friends and the community. This time i agree with the appeals,” he said.
Pairin said this was why the party agreed for him to take Tambunan but allow newcomer Datuk Daniel Kinsik to contest for the Keningau parliamentary constituency.
He said this after launching the PBS-Barisan Nasional Manifesto (Additional) here.
PBS will be contesting in five Parliementary and 13 State seats, fielding six newcomers. Two of the newcomes will be contesting in Kota Kinabalu and Keningau while four in Bingkor, Matunggong, Labuk and Sri Tanjong.
In the launching Pairin announced 15 pledges by the party for the people of Sabah including its commitment to fight for the state rights, strengthen security and enforcement and on Native Customary Land rights.
Also highlighted were its pledge to fight for a multi-ethnic political struggle, educational empowerment, strenghtening the people’s economy, expand rural development, fight for equality and emphasise on women’s rights.