KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah PKR leader Datuk Dr Roland Chia Ming Chen will lead the state pro-tem Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia associate wing that will accommodate non-bumiputras in the party.
Bersatu associate wing national chief Datuk Seri Dr Santhara Kumar said the wing was established by the party after it amended its constitution to establish the associate member wing during its annual general meeting in November 2020.
The new wing was to accommodate new non-Malay members in the exclusively bumiputra party.
Dr Chia, who is the political secretary to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajij Noor, was among leaders from Sabah who aligned themselves with the Datuk Seri Azmin Ali’s breakaway action that teamed up with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin early last year.
Santana said the pro-tem Sabah state committee comprised veteran and young politicians, professionals and members of the business community.
Among those in the pro-tem state committee were vice-chairman Datuk Charles Pang Su Pin, assistant secretary Julian Lai Tze Cheng, assistant treasurer Lai Kim Ming, information chief Lim Ting Khai while the committee members included former Sabah MIC chairman Datuk V. Jothi, Datuk A. Nagaraju Applasamy, Pang Shu Kin, Benjamin Chin Tze Wei, Duncan Wong Hao Zheng, James Vun Ket Fah, Yee Tah Khong, Patrick Chia Tze Chang, Koh Seng Yee, Sarah Chong On Torng and Yu Tze Ing.
The pro-tem committee also paid a courtesy call on Hajiji, who is Sabah Bersatu chairman.
Hajiji said he greatly appreciates their strong interest and support to the party.
He said their presence in Bersatu showed that the party was strongly accepted and supported not only by bumiputras, but also the non-bumiputras in Sabah.
“I welcome all the non-bumiputras in Sabah to join our associate wing, and together we work for the people’s wellbeing and bring more development progress to the state,” added Hajiji.