KOTA KINABALU : Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation within the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition as both parties gear up for the coming state election.
In a joint meeting chaired by PBS acting president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam and STAR president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on Aug 27, the two parties agreed to maintain focus on strengthening GRS, ensuring political stability, and delivering continued development for the people of Sabah.
PBS and STAR also reiterated their firm stand of not working with UMNO/Barisan Nasional in any form of political cooperation. The meeting noted UMNO’s repeated hostile remarks against the GRS-led state government and its tendency to belittle the local coalition.
“This stand reflects both parties’ commitment to safeguarding the identity and integrity of PBS, STAR and GRS as a coalition led by Sabah-based parties,” the statement said.
While acknowledging the existence of a formal arrangement between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and UMNO, both parties stressed that GRS has never been part of such collaboration. They insisted that decisions concerning Sabah must reflect the people’s mandate without external influence.
On seat allocations, PBS and STAR underscored the need for fairness and respect within GRS, noting the coalition’s current 41 seats and reaffirming the GRS supreme council’s decision to contest 55 seats in the upcoming polls. Any reduction, they cautioned, could undermine grassroots confidence.
Both parties also proposed that all GRS component party candidates contest under the GRS logo to strengthen unity and present a single team going into the election.
“By respecting each other’s roles, upholding shared principles, and prioritising the voices of Sabahans, GRS can move forward stronger, more united, and better positioned to serve the people of Sabah,” the statement added. – pr/BNN
