Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has dismissed Warisan’s proposal to collaborate exclusively with Sabah Star, stressing its unwavering loyalty to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said the party remains fully committed to GRS and views Warisan’s selective overtures as an attempt to undermine the coalition.
“If they want to work with PBS and Sabah Star, they should join GRS instead,” he said after attending a Chinese New Year walkabout in Kota Kinabalu, on Sunday.
“Warisan’s move to choose only two parties looks like an effort to destabilise GRS,” he added.
PBS, which has been part of GRS since its formation after the 2020 Sabah election, reiterated that it will stay with the coalition for the long term.
“We’ve been with GRS from day one and will remain in GRS indefinitely — unless there’s a valid reason to reconsider. But for now, we are firmly with the coalition,” Joachim said.
Warisan information chief Datuk Azis Jamman recently floated the idea of working with PBS and Sabah Star, excluding GRS’ key component party, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, due to integrity concerns.
Azis highlighted that Gagasan Rakyat’s leader was allegedly linked to a mining license corruption case for reasons they cant work together with them.
GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is also Gagasan Rakyat’s deputy president, brushed off Warisan’s offer, saying the parties within GRS were not interested in cooperating with Warisan.
Earlier, Sabah Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan did not rule out the possibility of working with Warisan, saying his party is open to cooperating with any local party.
Joachim, however, dismissed Warisan’s accusations of integrity issues within GRS as mere political rhetoric.
“In politics, we all rely on donations. It’s common practice, even at the national level,” he said.
“You can’t say integrity is compromised just because donations come from conglomerates, individuals, or companies.”- January 12, 2025.
