KOTA KINABALU (Nov 5): Veteran politician Datuk Jismith Japong has been appointed as the acting president of Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS) following the resignation of Thomas Anggan.
Thomas announced his resignation during a party function at a local hotel yesterday, confirming that Jismith would assume leadership duties with immediate effect. He also directed Jismith to formally notify the Registrar of Societies (RoS) of the leadership transition.
Recalling the party’s formation, Thomas said he had applied to establish PKS in 2008, with approval granted five years later. He emphasized that PKS is a multiracial party and revealed that several parties had previously expressed interest in acquiring it.
Meanwhile, Jismith, who was reported in October to have joined Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri led by Datuk Henrynus Amin, explained that he had officially left that party.
“My representative handed over the ‘talak tiga’ to Henrynus last night,” he said, using a metaphor from Islamic law signifying an irrevocable break. “My supporters and I felt that our position was weak, and we needed a new direction.”
Jismith stated that he had been given ordinary membership in his former party and was appointed election director, though he declined an offer to become vice president, calling the role “powerless.”
He revealed that he had approached Thomas to use PKS as the platform to contest in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election.
Prior to his involvement in PKS and Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri, Jismith had been part of Parti Gemilang Anak Sabah (GAS) but left due to internal issues, initially planning to contest as an independent candidate.
“Running as an independent was not well received. My last effort was to meet with Thomas,” he added.
Clarifying that he has no intention of taking over the party, Jismith said his aim was to strengthen PKS and prepare it for the polls.
Confident of PKS’s prospects, he declared, “I am confident PKS will rule Sabah.”
The party, he said, plans to contest all 60 state constituencies, fielding 40 per cent senior men, 30 per cent women, and 30 per cent youth candidates.
He projected that PKS could win between 30 and 34 seats and ruled out joining any coalition, calling such arrangements “a formula for failure.”
Jismith also said that if he were to become Chief Minister, he would bar federal-based parties from operating in Sabah.
He pledged to introduce special fuel prices of RM1 per litre for petrol and diesel, along with free education from kindergarten through university, stating, “Sabah is rich.”
Jismith further revealed plans to develop Sabah into a regional financial hub for Asia.
The PKS machinery and manifesto are set to be launched on November 9, followed by the announcement of the party’s candidates on November 14 to prevent poaching by rival parties.
