KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition will be disbanded to pave way for a new political platform spearheaded by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).
Called ‘Gabungan Bersatu’, it will be a PBS plus Parti Solidariti TanahAirku (Star) formula, where all Umno en bloc are invited to join PBS directly as party members.
PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in announcing this, said Sabah BN chairman Tan Sri Musa Aman - to whom PBS pledged continued support of his leadership as Chief Minister - had agreed to this in principle.
“We are in the midst of passing the (membership) forms to Umno,” said deputy president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili at a press conference at their headquarters’ office after a supreme council meeting here.
Gabungan Bersatu as a single platform for likeminded parties was also opening its door to United Pasokmomogun and Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).
This would mean they are giving the former component parties who ditched BN a chance to return to the fold. While others are expected to register as PBS members, Star leaders and supporters will remain within their own party, Pairin explained.
“The state government formed on May 10 is a legally constituted government elected by the people in accordance with Sabah Constitution. Attempts to destabilise or dethrone this constitutionally formed Sabah government should be avoided at all costs,” said Pairin.
” In respect of federal government, we accept and congratulate Pakatan Harapan-led central government but PBS will take the position to be independent from any national political coalition.
“Until we establish the political and economic benefits for Sabah, there will be no political alignment (with national coalition or just elected federal government),” said Pairin.
On the swearing in ceremony of Warisan-PH pact lead by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal reportedly scheduled tonight, he said it was unconstitutional.
“If it happens, of course we will take action, preventive measures and do whatever is legally allowed.
“Have we not learned from the past? Why are we repeating this?” he said in reference to the 1994 political situation in Sabah.