ROS approves 14 new parties in Borneo

KOTA KINABALU : Sabah will see 10 new parties joing an already crowded political front.

It is learned that the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has invited all approved protem presidents to receive their registrations in Kuala Lumpur.

Many of the protem presidents are in Kuala Lumpur today for a ROS briefing and to receive their  registration certificates.

One protem president of a new party when contacted by FMT, affirmed that his party is among those which had been approved by the government, soon after the May general election.

It was also learned that about four new political parties from neighbouring Sarawak had also been approved under a stunning about turn by ROS, which had been accused of undemocratic ploys to deny aspiring leaders to right of political association and affiliation.

Recently, president of Sabah-based Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Joseph Pairin Kitingan, upon hearing these parties’ approval by ROS, voiced his concern that it was not a good idea to have too many political parties.

In fact some the new political parties had gone to court to get mandamus order to compel ROS to register their parties but invariably failed to achieve their aim.

It is learned that among the new parties approved in Sabah include Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) and Parti Damai Sabah (PDS).

PDS, is believed to be helmed by Berman Angkap, the former president of Sabah’s Peoples Front (SPF), which has since been renamed Sarawak Worker’s Party (SWP).

When contacted earlier, Berman said he would return to Kota Kinabalu tomorrow with his new party registration certificate.

PCS is led by Dr Nicholas James Guntobon, one of the former deputy chairmen of State Reform Party (Star) for Sabah chapter.

By Luke Rintod