Pbs Is Sabah S Original Local Party Joniston Rebuts Pairin S Criticism

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SABAH POLLS | Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has pushed back against a crowded field of parties claiming to champion Sabah's interests, suggesting many of them are merely later versions of what PBS originally built.
PBS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said voters were now faced with multiple parties branding themselves as “local,” but stressed that PBS is the state’s true original political movement.
“In the question of who is more local, PBS is the most local. PBS ruled for nine years, from 1985 to 1994.
"We were brave, we were noisy, but people want to see results. And now, through this coalition, we have seen the results,” he told reporters when met in Kiulu, Tuaran today.
Field filled with PBS descendants
Joniston (above) noted that eight candidates are contesting in Kiulu, reflecting the fragmentation that has shaped Sabah politics for decades.
He pointed to the range of parties, including PBS breakaway groups and newer local platforms, that now compete for the same local nationalist space.
“All these claim to be local parties. But they are all on their own.
“The best choice is to unite the Sabah people. Because local parties should be united under this GRS,” he added, referring to the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition.
Joniston added that PBS remained consistent while others had chosen to break away.
Is Sabah sick?
Joniston said staying within GRS was essential to uniting Sabah parties, after PBS founder Joseph Pairin Kitingan criticised his party for cooperating with Pakatan Harapan, via the GRS framework.
Pairin, who spoke at a campaign event dressed in Harapan’s red colour theme, had used a sharp analogy that “Sabah is sick” and must remove the elements causing it harm. His words were widely interpreted as revealing deeper dissatisfaction over the current direction of PBS and its collaboration within GRS.
The former Sabah chief minister also warned that Sabah was being weakened from within, citing federal influence, political fragmentation among Kadazan-Dusun and Murut parties, and a drift away from PBS’ founding mission.
PBS founder Joseph Pairin KitinganHowever, Joniston, speaking on the campaign trail in Kiulu, downplayed the idea of a political “disease,” saying voters were more concerned about tangible delivery.
“For me, the people do not want to hear sentiment. They want to know what we can help them with, what we can do for them.
“I am focused on developing the economy, agriculture, tourism, and our fertile land. I am not interested in rhetoric,” he added.
Not bowing to Putrajaya
Pairin had also suggested that PBS was becoming too close to the federal government. Joniston, however, rejected this and insisted that the party remained firm in its stance.
“There are those who say we are in cahoots with Malay parties. That is not what the people want to hear.
“It does not mean we bow down. We remain firm. The approach is important to deliver the desire of the people of Sabah,” he said.
Joniston stressed that building a functional working relationship with Putrajaya did not amount to surrender.
“The important thing is delivering in a good way and giving understanding to the federal government,” he added.
Not worried about Putrajaya's appeal
Joniston also played down concerns that Putrajaya’s partial court appeal may undermine Sabah’s claim to the 40 percent revenue entitlement, including the disputed “lost years.”
He said the matter was in active discussion and that “the state attorney-general is very much involved.”
The government, he said, remained confident.
“What matters is we will get our 40 percent," he said.
Joniston added that the state was already preparing for eventual payments through the establishment of the Sabah Sovereign Wealth Fund.
“We are already anticipating that we are going to get back what rightfully belongs to Sabah,” he said, adding that the state would leave the legal process to its experts while maintaining its position in negotiations.
Delayed ‘lost years’ claim
The federal government, via the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), is appealing part of the High Court’s ruling on Sabah’s 40 percent revenue entitlement, raising concerns that the long-awaited “lost years” claim could be delayed.
It is, however, complying with an order to hold negotiations with Sabah, with the first round of talks between the state secretary and the Treasury secretary-general being held on Nov 17.
Previously, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Putrajaya collects about RM10 billion in federal revenue from Sabah, which would mean that the state is entitled to RM4 billion under the 40 percent agreement if the amount for 2025 remains the same.
Presently, under Budget 2026, the plan is to pay Sabah just RM600 million. - Mkini

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