PARTI Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has called on Anita Baranting to vacate her Tandek seat following her leaving the party today to join Warisan.  

PBS president Maximus Ongkili, who expressed disappointment over Baranting’s decision, said she must face re-election.  

“She left without any signal of dissatisfaction regarding anything in the party, and decided to jump ship and join the infamous club of political frogs.

“That’s not the way to best serve the rakyat and Tandek electorate. Indeed, that’s not the way to leave a respected legacy of service to the electorate,” he said in a statement today.

The Kota Marudu MP said it was only right for PBS representatives to vacate their seat if they decide to be a political frog, as that would be the honourable thing to do for those who decide to leave.

“This is the dignified way to serve the people. We urge her to adhere to this honourable practice of integrity.”

Expressing deep disappointment over Baranting’s exit from PBS, Ongkili said the party had trained and groomed her over the years to be a model female leader of integrity.

“She was given the chance to be a PBS and Barisan Nasional election candidate three times, and with the party’s grassroots strength in Tandek, she won the seats thrice.

“PBS also raised her to become the party’s vice-president and women’s wing chief for the last four years so she could train and mentor young female leaders of integrity.

“While in the BN government, PBS gave her the opportunity to be assistant minister and later full minister in Musa Aman’s short-lived cabinet.

“These were privileges not enjoyed by many in the party, which goes to prove that PBS had taken very good care of her, for which she should be very grateful,” said Ongkili.

He said that it was sad that Baranting chose to abandon her privilege of service in a “most unprincipled” manner.

Ongkili noted that the Tandek seat is a solid PBS stronghold, saying that the party has served the grassroots in the constituency well since its inception in 1985, winning the seat in all state elections ever since.

“PBS will win the seat back any time a general elections or by-election is held. There are educated young men and women, especially from the Kimaragang community, ready to replace her,” he said.

PBS had celebrated its 34th anniversary on Tuesday.

“There is full commitment to strengthen the party and pursue its noble struggle with renewed vigour and persistence, despite the loss of one elected member.

“PBS has proven it will be a party for all seasons, in good and bad times, for all original Sabahans,” said Ongkili.

Baranting announced today her resignation from all PBS posts to join Warisan.