KOTA KINABALU – The presence of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice-president Datuk Johnny Mositun at an event attended by Sabah Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan in Paper near here “appears” to hint that the stalemate between the two parties has been resolved.
The parties, which are allies in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, had been in an impasse since the 16th state election last year, with Sabah Star accusing PBS of contesting in constituencies allotted to the former.
Thereafter, their spat appeared to worsen, with crossovers and arguments widely reported by state media outlets.
In a recent incident, PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili chided Jeffrey for proposing a new federal constitution and Malaysia Agreement as the way forward for Sabah.
Sabah Star returned fire, with secretary-general Datuk Guandee Kohoi slamming Ongkili for jeopardising GRS’ cooperation by attacking an ally in the media.
However, things seem to have changed today, when Guandee, Jeffrey and Mositun met at a vanilla farm in Papar.
“I invited Mositun because he is the local grassroots leader here. We work very well with him,” said Guandee.
He also played down his recent criticism of Ongkili, saying it is normal for politicians to have differences.
There is no division between Sabah Star and PBS, he stressed.
“What happened recently (as reported) in the local papers is normal, and my president (Jeffrey) has made it clear that any party can work together.”
PBS secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, too, denied bad blood between the parties, saying the squabbles reported in the press are a sign of “political maturity”.
“Sometimes, parties may issue statements that could rile up sentiments, and it’s normal for allied parties to respond,” he told The Vibes recently. – The Vibes, May 21, 2021
