Joniston Quashes Baseless Talk Of Pbs Also Quitting Grs

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Party leader says such speculation is an attempt to create confusion and weaken unity in GRS ahead of the Sabah state election.
PBS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the issue of leaving GRS was not even mentioned in the party’s recent Supreme Council meeting. (Japen pic)PETALING JAYA: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has rubbished rumours that the party also plans to leave Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), two weeks after Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) left the coalition
PBS information chief Joniston Bangkuai dismissed such speculation as an attempt to create confusion and weaken unity in GRS ahead of the state election.
The Kiulu assemblyman said the recurring rumours served no purpose other than to unsettle supporters and disrupt the political stability that GRS has maintained through the cooperation forged among its component parties.
“The issue of PBS leaving was not even mentioned in our recent Supreme Council meeting,” he said in a statement.
“In fact, our acting president, Joachim Gunsalam, once again reaffirmed PBS’s commitment to strengthening GRS as a solid local coalition that continues to maintain a good and respectful working relationship with the federal government.”
Joniston said the party’s position has always been guided by the belief that unity among local parties was crucial to ensuring long-term political stability and safeguarding Sabah’s interests.
While stressing that PBS remains attentive to sentiments on the ground, the state assistant minister said what may be popular is not necessarily right.
He warned that frequent shifts in political directions were unhealthy as they could lead to instability, which would be detrimental to Sabah’s progress.
“We cannot afford to be in disarray because others will only stand to gain from our division.
“We recognise the dynamics of Sabah’s political landscape, and our decision has to be grounded on reality. PBS is committed to ensuring that GRS grows into a dominant political force in Sabah, much like Gabungan Parti Sarawak in Sarawak,” he added.
Last week, it was reported that PBS was reassessing its political direction following STAR’s decision to leave GRS. This was after a closed-door meeting among PBS Supreme Council members and adviser Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
Pairin, the elder brother of STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan, reportedly urged PBS to stay united and consider re-engaging STAR to strengthen Sabah’s political voice.
PBS had signed a memorandum of understanding with STAR in 2024 but Joachim said this had been put on hold following the latter’s exit from GRS. - FMT

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