PBS brushes off defection fears after Star's split from GRS

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has sought to calm speculation of internal cracks following the departure of its ally Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

PBS acting president Dr Joachim Gunsalam assured that there was no evidence of members defecting to join Star or other parties, even though some were said to have been approached.

“There are always rumours. Some people may talk about leaving (PBS) or being courted to become candidates (for other parties) in the upcoming state polls.

“But until today, no one from PBS has actually left. What I hear from the ground is that our people remain loyal,” he said.

Gunsalam (above) added that instead of jumping ship, many members had reaffirmed their commitment to the party’s cause.

“I have a few who said, ‘No, I’m still with PBS, my struggle is with PBS. That’s my party.’

“That is what matters,” he stressed.

On Oct 2, Star, led by incumbent Keningau MP Jeffrey Kitingan, was automatically expelled from GRS after deciding to contest solo in the state election.

Prior to that, Star and PBS had been in the midst of a merger.

However, Gunsalam said yesterday that while the merger understanding remains intact, the plan has been put on hold following Star’s exit from GRS.

When announcing the Sabah state assembly’s dissolution on Monday, caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor had also confirmed that Star deputy presidents Ellron Angin (Sook) and Robert Tawik (Bingkor), as well as Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan), Annuar Ayub (Liawan), Flovia Ng (Tulid) had chosen to stand with GRS despite their party’s expulsion from the coalition.

At this stage, it remains unclear whether the five will be fielded as official GRS candidates in the upcoming state election.

However, Gunsalam also said yesterday that some of them had expressed interest in joining PBS.

PBS also champions Sabah rights

Concerns have been rife that there could be a split in PBS as some members support Kitingan’s political ideals, such as the “Sabah for Sabahans” concept.

Gunsalam acknowledged that Star’s “Sabah for Sabahans” slogan resonated with parts of the electorate, but argued PBS was pursuing the same goal of championing state rights through coalition-building.

“If you want to be a leader just to be a candidate, that is different. If you want to be a leader because you believe in the struggle, then it doesn’t matter whether you are a candidate or not,” he said.

PBS, which secured seven seats in the 2020 state election, now faces the task of holding its ground as Sabah heads into fresh polls.

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