PARTI Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has firmly rejected Warisan’s offer to collaborate, reaffirming its loyalty to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) - but Sabah Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan remains open to potential talks with the opposition.
PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said his party is “very committed” to GRS under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and will not entertain overtures that could disrupt the coalition.
“If they want to work with PBS and Sabah Star, it would be better for them to join GRS instead,” Joachim said during a Chinese New Year walkabout in Kota Kinabalu.
PBS, which secured seven seats in the 2020 Sabah election, has been a GRS member since its formation and intends to stay that way.
“We’ve been with GRS from day one, and we will stay with GRS indefinitely — until there’s a reason to change. But for now, we are committed to this coalition,” he added.
Warisan, which won 29 seats in the last Sabah election, recently made overtures to PBS and Sabah Star, excluding Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan), a GRS component party, citing alleged integrity issues linked to its leaders.
Warisan information chief Datuk Azis Jamman highlighted the party’s concern over a mining licence corruption scandal involving some Gagasan figures.
GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is also Gagasan’s deputy president, dismissed Warisan’s invitation, saying both PBS and Sabah Star are not interested in working with the opposition.
However, Jeffrey, whose Sabah Star holds six seats in the Sabah assembly, did not dismiss the possibility of working with Warisan.
“We are open to working with any local party,” Jeffrey said during a walkabout in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu.
Jeffrey added that Sabah leaders should work towards unity, similar to Sarawak’s approach.
“We must move forward together,” he said, signalling that Sabah Star has left the door open to potential collaboration.
His stance contrasts with that of PBS, which views Warisan’s move as an attempt to destabilise GRS.
Jeffrey also aimed at national-based parties, accusing them of undermining Sabah’s autonomy.
“When Malaysia was formed, Sabah, Sarawak, and Malaya agreed on equal partnership and autonomy,” he said.
“But if you already have 100 seats in the peninsula, why come and take the 10 that belong to us? That’s colonial control.”
Previously, Jeffrey voiced his opinion that GRS should contest the upcoming state election independently. This stands in contrast to Hajiji’s approach, which is open to collaboration with Sabah Pakatan Harapan.
Joachim dismissed Warisan’s integrity concerns as “political talk”, saying political donations are part of the political process nationwide.
“In politics, we all depend on donations,” he said. “You can’t say integrity is compromised simply because donations come from conglomerates, individuals, or companies.” - January 12, 2025
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