KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak described Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan as a ‘true Malaysian patriot’ for his stand to ensure that Sabah continues to remain in Malaysia.
Najib said the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president’s firm stand was of very high value for him as prime minister of Malaysia, a nation based on the federation concept.
“In his speech, Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan touched on 11 items. For me, the highest value was when he said he and PBS will defend Sabah’s position within Malaysia. This admission is very meaningful because we know that someone close to him say things differently when outside. Tan Sri Pairin and PBS leaders are loyal to Barisan Nasional (BN) and a true patriot of Malaysia for loving Malaysia the most. Thank you.
“Tan Sri Pairin, you are a true patriot of Malaysia,” said Najib to loud applause when opening the 29th PBS annual delegates conference at Likas Sports Complex here yesterday.
Earlier, in his keynote address, Pairin stressed that PBS will stand firmly behind the prime minister and BN in facing threats from any party who tried to question the Malaysia Agreement and the federal-state good ties.
“I want to stress that PBS will join the prime minister in fighting any party that tries to break up Malaysia,” said Pairin.
Also present were Sabah Chief Minister and Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman, PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
Najib admitted BN component parties have different views on some issues but the differences did not prevent Pairin from supporting the BN principle that Malaysia must not break up.
He agreed with Pairin that Malaysia cannot go separate ways because Malaysia has proven to the world that it is a peaceful country despite the diverse beliefs and cultures of the people.
Malaysia’s ability to develop as a multi-racial country to earn the respect of the international community was due to the wise BN leadership since independence. — Bernama