Pairin is expected to continue leading KDCA
Pairin is expected to continue leading KDCA
Daily Express - Malaysia
Penampang: Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) President Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan is expected to continue leading the association for another three-year term though several names had been proposed to contest the post at its annual congress today (Sunday).
As for the Deputy President posts, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan will face a four-cornered fight against two of the association’s Supreme Council members - Dr Saiman Sandah and Datuk Patrick Sindu.
Most of the nominations received by the election committee for the top post were in favour of Pairin who is also Huguan Siou (paramount leader of Kadazandusun community).
Its Sec-Gen-cum-Election Committee Chairman, George Aludah, said several other names were proposed for the President’s post but all failed to meet the required number of 10 nominations, except Datuk Clarence Bongkos Malakun.
He said although Bongkos received the required number, he declined to accept the nomination when informed.
He also confirmed the other names proposed and nominated for the top post but who failed to meet the requirement in terms of number of nominations include Tan Sri Simon Sipaun, Sindu and Dr Jeffrey (Pairin’s younger brother).
The four contestants for the two Deputy President posts qualified after getting the minimum seven nominations, he said.
Aludah said 16 people were nominated as of Saturday afternoon for the eight Vice President posts. They include James Bagah, Ryner Lidong, Jornah Mozihim, Harry Beatty, Evelyn Gobile, Sebastian Anjim, George Mijin, John Cryso Masahal, John Paujik, Geoffrey Ekol, John Anthony, Dr Lungkiam Dambul, Suman Yasambun, George Saidi, Dr Azalina Ekat and Aman Sirom Simbuna.
“Many names were nominated for the Vice President posts but only 16 qualified comprising older and younger generation leaders,” he said. Over 100 people were nominated for the Supreme Council seats and 79 fulfilled the requirement. However, only 32 accepted their nominations.
The election of new office bearers will be held after the delegates conference. It would involve some 500 delegates from 200 association branches in Sabah, Labuan and the peninsula.
Aludah, meanwhile, hoped those intending to nominate anyone for any post in the association would in future inform the person they want to nominate first so as to avoid any inconvenience.
Pairin, who is also Deputy Chief Minister cum Rural Development Minister, said whatever the outcome in Sunday’s election they will continue ongoing efforts for the benefit of the community.
“We also hope to see more people come forward to assist the association, as togetherness will ensure success in whatever had been planned or being implemented,” he said, adding that this is timely with this year’s annual delegates conference theme ‘Towards Greater Cooperation’.
On news reports about several KDCA branches in Kota Belud which had urged him not to defend his post, Pairin said he will raise the matter in his keynote address.
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