Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam is holding firm on delaying party elections, despite pressure from within to hold it before the state election.

“The supreme council has decided not to proceed with any party election this year,” he said, dismissing calls for an early vote.

Some senior leaders are quietly pushing for party polls before the state election, arguing it would solidify Gunsalam’s presidency.

They believe an election would strengthen PBS as it prepares for the state polls, expected by September, the Star reported on Tuesday.

Gunsalam, who is also Deputy Chief Minister II, acknowledged the internal calls but said now was not the right time.

“Yes, I know (about the calls), but during a state election year, it may not be a good time,” he said.

He took over as acting president in June last year after Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili stepped aside due to health issues.

In December, Gunsalam confirmed that the party elections, initially set for October, would not take place.

He insisted that PBS must focus on the upcoming state election instead of internal leadership contests.

In the last PBS election in 2022, Gunsalam narrowly won the deputy president’s post by five votes against then-secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

Bangkuai has since been appointed the party’s information chief.

Over the past two years, PBS has been in unity talks with Sabah STAR, a fellow native-based party led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Both parties, under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), are eyeing 23 to 25 state seats dominated by the Kadazandusun, Murut, and Rungus communities.

They want to avoid a repeat of the 2020 state election, where they competed against each other in some constituencies.

PBS won seven seats, while Sabah STAR secured six in the last state election. – February 11, 2025.