Kota Kinabalu: The baton has changed hands in Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), but the party’s struggle for Sabah’s rights must continue with undeterred unity and without being trapped by its past.
That was the message from former PBS president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili as the party entered a new leadership chapter, with Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam now formally holding the presidency for the 2026-2029 term.
Speaking at the PBS 41st Annual Delegates Conference dinner at Dewan Hakka here on Thursday night, Maximus said the baton was never his personally but belonged to PBS, its members and future generations.
“The strength of Parti Bersatu Sabah has never been one person. Its strength is its people, its principles and the belief that Sabah deserves to be heard,” he said.
Maximus, who took over from party founder Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in 2018, said the fight for the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), constitutional rights, development, identity and Sabah’s position in Malaysia remained a responsibility shared across generations.
“There were victories. There were also disappointments,” he said, stressing that the struggle must continue through negotiation and by presenting Sabah’s position with knowledge, facts, courage and dignity.
He also delivered a message to younger members, urging them to bring fresh ideas and energy while understanding why PBS was formed and appreciating the sacrifices of earlier leaders.
“Leadership is about serving,” he said, describing “YB” as “Yang Berkhidmat” – one who serves.
Joachim, meanwhile, put unity at the heart of PBS’s next phase, calling on members to accept the election results and return to work together regardless of internal differences.
“Bertandinglah sebagai sahabat. Berbeza pandanganlah sebagai saudara. Dan apabila keputusan telah dibuat oleh para perwakilan, kita kembali duduk bersama dan bergerak bersama sebagai satu pasukan,” he said. (“Compete as friends. Disagree as brothers. And once a decision has been made by the delegates, we come together again and move forward as one team,” he said.)He said PBS had endured 41 years of successes and difficult periods because of the continued commitment of its grassroots, adding that the party must make room for younger leaders while retaining the experience of those who came before.
Joachim identified unity, stability and integrity as the three pillars of the party’s struggle – “Bersatu Memimpin, Stabil Membina, Berintegriti Berkhidmat”.
Maximus ended with a simple challenge to the party: “Jangan berhenti berjuang. Don’t stop serving. Don’t stop believing in Sabah. Jangan takut kepada perubahan.
The message is clear, the leadership baton may move to others, but Sabah’s agenda must keep moving forward.”
