No union on cards for PBS, Sabah Star after objections from grassroots

TWO important components in Sabah’s ruling coalition, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Sabah Star) have decided not to merge as proposed but will instead work on fostering cooperation as separate political entities.

The two outfits, which are part of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) announced the decision today, with both sides preparing to hold talks on the cooperation soon. 

In a joint statement, they said that the decision was reached in response to calls from the grassroots and to continue the cooperation they had established before the Sabah state election in September 2020.  

“A consensus to start talks has been reached during the meeting of leaders from both parties on November 15,” the two parties said in the statement. 

PBS had earlier expressed scepticism at the suggestion of a merger from Sabah Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan last July. PBS is led by Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.

Jeffrey is the younger brother of former PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who was Sabah chief minister from 1985 to 1994.

Concerns had stemmed when both parties crossed into each other’s designated electoral seats within the GRS in the 2020 state election despite a seat sharing deal under the coalition.

PBS had decided at the last minute to contest 22 seats instead of its allotted 15, clashing with Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN). 

Sabah Star is a component of PN. 

Both parties said there was no bad blood between them but the tensions between the two had in fact forced a peninsula-based leader to resolve their differences. 

In the forthcoming talks, PBS will be represented by its secretary-general Datuk Julita Majungki, information chief Joniston Bangkuai, women’s wing chief Dain Malianah Ugau and youth chief Chris Mandut, while Sabah Star’s vice-president Paul Porodong, secretary-general Datuk Edward Linggu, information chief Jalumin Bayogoh, women’s chief Datuk Flovia Ng and youth chief Kong Soon Choi.

However, the two sides have not decided when talks will be held. – The Vibes, November 16, 2023