PAPAR: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Limbahau Division has pledged its full support for Acting President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam to become the party’s next President during the PBS Congress scheduled for October.
The party is expected to hold elections for all positions during the congress.
“This will usher in a new era to strengthen the party and enable it to serve the people more effectively,” said PBS Limbahau Division Chief Datuk Johnny Mositun at the division’s 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Dewan Serbaguna Mositun, Kg Sungkadon Novoung, here, Sunday.
Johnny called for the party president’s post to remain uncontested, effectively eliminating the need for an election for the party’s top leadership position.
He said the proposal for a no-contest presidency is aimed at strengthening party unity, reducing internal factionalism, and ensuring leadership continuity within PBS.
“The call is based on the view that contested presidential elections often lead to internal divisions and weaken the party’s overall focus on governance and electoral preparedness.
“I believe a streamlined leadership selection process would help PBS maintain stability and better coordinate its political direction,” he said.
Johnny added that Dr Joachim, who is also Deputy Chief Minister I, should automatically assume the presidency should the incumbent, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, decide to step down during the party congress.
“Let the contests be open for the posts of Deputy President, Vice Presidents and Supreme Council members,” he said.
The meeting reflected a strong display of unity and commitment among party members, grassroots leaders, as well as representatives from the Youth and Women’s wings.
Delegates welcomed the call for the president’s post to remain uncontested and unanimously endorsed Dr Joachim as the next PBS President.
Meanwhile, Johnny, the incumbent PBS Vice President, will defend his position in the party elections this October.
PBS Limbahau Deputy Chief Benedict Bototol will also contest for a seat on the party’s Supreme Council. Both candidates received the full backing of the delegates.
PBS Premier and founding president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan officiated the Limbahau Division AGM.
Johnny and the division committee were returned unopposed to serve another term.
Earlier in the day, the division’s Youth and Women’s wings held their respective meetings, during which Steve Johnny Mositun and Janet Baidin were also returned uncontested as Youth Chief and Women’s Chief, respectively.
