Pbs Star Ink Mou Ahead Of State Polls

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STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan (second from right) and PBS deputy president Joachim Gunsalam after the signing of the MoU, witnessed by PBS premier adviser Pairin Kitingan (centre). (Bernama pic)PENAMPANG: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) today signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at further strengthening the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.
STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also a Sabah deputy chief minister, said the strategic cooperation has the full support of Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor, who is also the coalition’s chairman.
“This collaboration is a positive sign as it strengthens GRS further,” he said before the MoU signing ceremony at Hongkod Koisaan, Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association here.
The MoU was signed by Kitingan, PBS deputy president Joachim Gunsalam, STAR secretary-general Edward Linggu and PBS secretary-general Julita Majungki.
The signing follows months of negotiations to ensure no conflicts occurred between the two parties during the state elections expected next year.
Kitingan said PBS and STAR also agreed to establish a joint leadership council and cooperate in providing training to members.
Gunsalam said the cooperation is not a threat to other parties within GRS but was more to strengthen the coalition.
He said both parties are studying which seats to contest and were in further discussions with other GRS parties.
However, Gunsalam said the 13 seats currently held by PBS and STAR were fixed and non-negotiable.
In the last state elections, STAR and PBS won six and seven seats in the state assembly, respectively.
The GRS coalition consists of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party, PBS, STAR, United Sabah National Organisation, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and the Liberal Democratic Party. - FMT

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