KOTA KINABALU – Parti Bersatu Sabah denied that there is any bad blood between them and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Rakyat Sabah (Star) despite news of the constant spat between both parties.
PBS secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the different views expressed by his party and Sabah Star are a sign of political maturity, not conflict.
“It’s a sign of political maturity. If someone gives their views, the natural thing for us is to give our views also.
“I don’t think there’s any problem...it is not like we are trying to kill each other,” he told The Vibes.
Both Sabah Star and PBS are allies in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah ruling coalition.
The public may misconstrue or misinterpret the party’s intentions, but for PBS, it is just expressing our views, said Bangkuai.
He said there is no single-party dominance in Malaysian politics these days, including in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
“Sometimes parties may issue statements that could rile up sentiments, and it’s normal (for allied parties to respond).”
The squabble between the two Sabah parties traces back to the Sabah election last year with PBS contesting Sabah Star-designated seats.
There had also been reports of top PBS leaders switching to Sabah Star, signalling a stalemate between the two parties.
PBS leader Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili had recently chided Sabah Star chief Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan for proposing a new Malaysia Agreement and federal constitution.
Imaginations went wild when Ongkili expressed willingness to cooperate with Warisan leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who said he would love to work with PBS.
On cooperation with Warisan, Bangkuai shot down the insinuation of PBS forming an alliance with Warisan following Ongkili’s suggestion.
He said Ongkili’s reaction to Shafie's cooperation gesture was not about forming alliances, adding that one should “just don’t read too much into”' what has been said.
“Ongkili is one of the longest-serving elected representatives. He has gone through a lot in his political career.
“When Ongkili says something, I would know his intentions. All I can say is just don’t read too much into it,” he said.
Still, Bangkuai concurred that there are common issues like the Malaysia Agreement and state rights that PBS can work out with Warisan, but they are not on the same page when it comes to illegal immigrants and anti-party hopping law issues.
Sabah Star assistant secretary-general Ardino Diris also said there is no conflict between them and PBS, saying it is just parties expressing their views.
He said talk of PBS forming an alliance with Warisan was greatly “exaggerated” and Sabah Star is aware of PBS’ stand. – The Vibes, May 17, 2021
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