Pbs Star Merger On Hold Due To Grs Split

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The proposed merger between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) has been put on hold following Star’s exit from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to contest the upcoming state election on its own.
PBS acting president Joachim Gunsalam said the merger understanding remains intact but was stalled by recent developments.
“The understanding is still there. We haven’t given up on it. But for now, it’s on hold,” Gunsalam (above) told reporters after caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor announced the dissolution of the Sabah legislative assembly.
He claimed that four Star assemblypersons, and potentially five, though one is unwell, had expressed interest in joining PBS despite Star president Jeffrey Kitingan’s move.
The five are Ellron Angin (Sook), Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan), Annuar Ayub (Liawan), Flovia Ng (Tulid) and Robert Tawik (Bingkor). Tawik was absent from the dissolution announcement today.
“The president decided to go on his own. But the president is just one man. Maybe some of them will still embrace the merger,” he alleged.
Gunsalam stressed that PBS remained strong and aligned with Hajiji’s stance that cooperation with the federal government was crucial for Sabah’s progress.
“We have to work with the federal government. We have seen what happened when we went against it; that is why Sabah was left behind in terms of development,” he said.
Asked if PBS was disappointed with Star’s departure from GRS, Gunsalam replied: “Yes, we feel disappointed. We actually wish that he (Kitingan) reconsidered. There might still be time for a rethink.”
On whether Star’s decision could divide the Kadazandusun-Murut community, Gunsalam expressed hope for unity.
“We hope the Kadazandusun-Murut community will come to its senses,” he said. - Mkini

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