Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Maximus Ongkili has been entrusted by the party's supreme council to carry out the duties of the party president with immediate
effect.

PBS secretary-general Johnny Mositun in a statement today said the decision was made at the request of party president Joseph Pairin Kitingan when chairing the party’s supreme council meeting.

However, Mositun said Pairin will remain as the PBS president until the end of the current term of parliament and the state assembly.

“He will continue to carry out his ministerial duties (as Sabah deputy chief minister and state infrastructure development minister) and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) work until the end of the term,” said Mositun.

He added that Ongkili, who is also the Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, will oversee all party matters, including affairs and management of divisions, branches and party headquarters.

“This is part of the preparatory step in the succession plan of the party. In his speech, the party president (Pairin) urged party leaders at all levels to cooperate, stay united and work hard to strengthen the party and ensure Barisan Nasional's victory in the next general election,” he said.

- Bernama