SANDAKAN – The political pact between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah Star appears to have sidelined the other parties in the government coalition.
Warisan vice-president Terrence Siambun said such a memorandum of understanding (MoU) should serve as a mechanism to enhance coordination.
“Was there no dialogue and cooperation among all parties in GRS to ensure collective participation and equitable representation?” he questioned in a statement today.
There are seven parties under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) – Gagasan Rakyat, PBS, Sabah Star, Usno, the Sabah Progressive Party, the Liberal Democratic Party, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
Yesterday, PBS and Sabah Star signed an MoU to make official the collaboration between the two parties in facing the coming state election.
PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam had said the collaboration would not pose a threat to the other GRS parties, but was meant to strengthen the coalition.
There have been talks on the ground that the PBS-Sabah Star pact would create a strong representation for non-Muslim native seats, which means there could be no room for Gagasan Rakyat’s multi racial candidates.
Gagasan Rakyat is led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also GRS chairman and the state’s chief minister.
PBS-Sabah Star had also revealed that they are eyeing to contest in more than 13 seats, while defending their existing 13 seats.
Meanwhile, Siambun said it is important that such an MoU would prioritise the people’s welfare and interests.
He added Sabah is fraught with welfare issues that need to be addressed, instead of just political expediency. – April 19, 2024