Upko’s youth appeal threatens PBS’ relevance

Arnold Puyok

Ageing Kadazandusun leader, Pairin Kitingan must engage young professionals and include them in PBS's decision making process or risk the party becoming irrelevant.

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is in danger of losing its multi-racial appeal and electoral support if it does not take drastic and strategic actions to quickly fill the leadership vacuum in the party.

PBS, which is synonymous with state rights and autonomy, simply has to allow its younger members to contribute meaningfully.


The party must immediately prepare a smooth succession plan if it is to evolve into a dynamic political entity.
As to whether PBS already has such a plan is not clear.

But what is known is that peer-rival the United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Organisation (Upko) appears to have one.

Upko appears to have been more successful in enticing the young generation through its programmes such as the “Komulakan”. And unlike the PBS, Upko has young cadre of leaders to take over the party.

That the youths have deserted PBS was pretty much obvious at the party’s 26th Annual General Meeting in October.

Those who attended the AGM were in their 40s, 50s and 60s, confirming rumours that PBS is having a serious problem in keeping its younger members.

PBS president and the Kadazandusun community Joseph Pairin Kitingan seems to be unable to hold sway over the youths and to retain the party’s multi-racial face.

No longer combative

At 71 year, Pairin is not the fiery leader who more than 20 years ago established (in 1985) PBS to redeem and restore state rights from the pro-federal party, Berjaya party led by Harris Salleh.

But age and diminishing health has taken its toll on Pairin.

It was evident – from his meek response to deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin at the party’s AGM – that he is no longer as combative as he used to.

Pairin’s speech revolved around the issues of illegal immigrants, Borneonisation, jobs for Sabahans, and opportunities for Sabah-born teachers and contractors.

Muhyiddin in turn responded, often vaguely, to all the points raised by Pairin except for the issue of oil royalty which he said was a “sensitive” matter.

But his response to the Borneonisation policy came as a slap in the face for Pairin, who belives it is important for the pre-Malaysia policy (Malaysia Agreement 1963) to be observed.

Muhyiddin said posts in government departments will be filled by qualified Malaysians irrespective of states of origin.

That PBS delegates were disappointed with Muhyiddin’s lack of feedback is an understatement.

As to whether they saw Pairin as weak is subjective.

Snail-paced action to reform

For all its inertia, PBS remains the most viable multiracial Sabahan party to lead the state.

Admittedly PBS has been gradually losing its multi-racial appeal, but the fact remains that it is still a party favoured by the various ethnic groups.

But to shake-off the inertia and re-invent itself, PBS must include young people in its decision making.

That PBS risks facing the same bludgeoning as that received by Sarawak United People Party during the April 16 polls is all too real.

PBS will face death if it does react to the wishes of the electorate.

Party supporters have grown weary of the leadership’s snail-paced action to reform.

If PBS wants to keep its supporters and stay politcally relevant in Sabah then it has no choice but to act— and now.

Firstly, PBS must engage young professionals and include them in leadership.

Secondly, in order to continue to enjoy its multi-racial appeal, the PBS must increase its multi-racial members especially from among the Muslim Bumiputera and Chinese communities who now look at Umno DAP, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Sabah Action People’s Party (SAPP) as an alternative to the PBS.

Greater role must be given to the Muslim and Chinese members in PBS so that the party is not seen as too Kadazandusun.

Broaden policy proposals

In essence, the PBS must prove itself that it is a multi-racial party committed to promote multi-racialism in Sabah.

Thirdly, PBS must look beyond regional and state-centrism as its main struggle.

PBS must reduce its regional rhetoric and transform itself to become a party accepted by all including those in the Peninsular Malaysia.

For instance, the 2011 Budget recently tabled by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak should be critically assessed. Rather than accepting it at face value, PBS should form a working committee to critically assess its relevance given Malaysia’s economic reality.

And how about the recent Auditor-General’s Report which reveals misappropriation of government’s funds?

Where was PBS? What views did it give? The point is, the PBS must look beyond state issues and broaden its policy proposals.

The writer is a guest columnist. He is a lecturer in political science at Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah.