More than 1,000 members of Parti Bersatu Sabah a former opposition party which has recently join the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition submitted their applications to join Keadilan today in the run-up to this Saturday's Gaya parliamentary by-election in the state.

The 1,300 applications were submitted by 20 PBS branch leaders to Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the party's state headquarters in Kota Kinabalu.

Speaking to reporters later, Sabah Keadilan deputy chief Christina Liew said the defectors had wanted to be part of an opposition party.

"They get nothing no money, no position, no datukship. This is something special," she said.

"We are also expecting to see many more people coming in after this," added Liew, who will contest in the Oct 12 by-election in a three-cornered fight involving BN and another opposition party, DAP.

Wan Azizah said the locals' interest in joining Keadilan affirmed that the party was truly multiracial.

"It is a party that is acceptable to Sabahans," she added.

Nursing a broad smile, Wan Azizah added in Mandarin, "We are all one big family".

Strong opposition needed

Meanwhile, ex-PBS branch leader Liaw Chin Sin, said the decision to join Keadilan was sparked by PBS' return to BN early this year.

Led by former Sabah chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitinggan, PBS left the ruling coalition prior to the 1990 general election.

Liaw, said the move by PBS to rejoin the government was despised by many, especially the ethnic Kadazans.

He said Sabahans needed a strong opposition who can raise issues affecting the local community, both in parliament and the state assembly.

On why they chose Keadilan instead of DAP, Liaw said Keadilan had better prospects in terms of winning seats.

"Keadilan is interested in forming a government. DAP only wants to remain an opposition," he said.

"Sabahans are interested in a party that listens to the people and which is interested in forming a new Sabah government," stressed Liaw.

The 20 PBS branches are those from Kampung Ranau, Tanjung Aru Lama, Kepimpinan, Talang Taun, Togop, Imbanam, Divatto, Menggatal, Pekan Lapasan, Kiosom Kecil, Babagon Toki, Chendra Kasih, Poring-Poring, Kelasanan, Tenggiling, Kampung Pengasaan, Kampung Lok Poring, Tatahan and Tanalang Silou.

Also present at the press conference were Keadilan Sabah information chief Saidatul Badru, supreme council leaders Ng Lum Yong, Cheah Kah Peng, PRM president Syed Husin Ali, vice- president Lee Sang and deputy secretary-general Ang Hiok Gai.