Speaking to FMT, the former Kadamaian assemblyman who tendered his resignation from all party posts today said he and the rest of Kadamaian PBRS members were in the dark as to what was in store for the party.
PBRS secretary-general Johnson Tee had earlier resigned. The party only won one parliamentary seat (Pensiangan) and one state seat (Sook) in the May 9 polls.
“From what I understand, party president Joseph Kurup announced the party’s departure from BN last month and expressed his intention to make the party part of the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
“But recently, Sabah PH chairman Christina Liew revealed that she had not received any application from PBRS to join the coalition. This is all too confusing,” he said.
For this reason, Malajad, who is also PBRS Kadamaian chief, said he was leaving the party. He said he would be taking about 30 PBRS Kadamaian leaders and members with him.
He said he had wanted to leave immediately after former PBRS secretary-general Johnson Tee resigned but opted to wait a little longer to see if there was any word from the party president or the deputy presidents.
Unfortunately, he said, none of them had said anything. He added that they could not be reached for advice.
Malajad said the Kadamaian PBRS election machinery had thrown its support to BN candidate and eventual winner Ewon Benedick in the recently concluded election.
The problem, he claimed, was that PBRS was not part of the PH and Benedick’s party, United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) was now part of the state government and, therefore, it would be difficult for Benedick to help an “opposition party” like PBRS.
“When it comes to development for Kadamaian, I am afraid we in PBRS will be left behind and not included in any of the state government’s plans. Furthermore, I am concerned about the fate of the current community leaders like the JKKKs if we don’t leave PBRS,” he said.
Asked whether he would join other parties, Malajad said he would remain without a party for the time being.
However, he said the group would support the current government. He urged PBRS members to follow suit.
Joseph Kurup and deputy president Arthur Kurup could not be reached for comments.