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The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
PBS-Sabah STAR pact about strengthening GRS, not forming new bloc, says Bangkuai
KOTA KINABALU: Collaboration between native-based Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah STAR does not signify the formation of a new political bloc, but is instead firmly rooted in efforts to strengthen the existing Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition. PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the alliance aims to consolidate GRS' position and ensure it remains a strong, united force ahead of the 17th Sabah state election. 'We are not forming a new bloc. Our partnership with Sabah STAR is about reinforcing GRS' unity and demonstrating that its component parties can work closely together, not just at the leadership level but also on the ground. 'This collaboration strengthens GRS, and shows that we are serious about building a stable and cohesive government for Sabah,' he said when met after the Community-Based Tourism Conference and Expo 2025 here on Saturday (June 28). Bangkuai, who is also the GRS information chief, also clarified that discussions on campaign branding, including the use of logos or banners, are still ongoing. 'Well, that is something that we have yet to decide. But then, our leadership has already more or less implied that it is important for us to contest as GRS candidates. 'That will further emphasise the seriousness of GRS to form the next government. And we have to be contesting under the GRS logo,' he said ahead of the PBS-Sabah STAR (BEST) Convention 2025, which is scheduled on July 12. Bangkuai added that the PBS-Sabah STAR convention is held to follow up on the Memorandum of Collaboration signed by the two parties in April last year, with the goal of avoiding overlapping seat contests and boosting cooperation ahead of PRN17. He pointed out that it was important to strengthen cooperation at all levels, particularly among grassroots leaders, as victory in the polls will depend on teamwork and mutual understanding. 'For us to win the election, we must have strong working relationships at every level. This is a sign that GRS parties are capable of cooperating closely, which voters want to see,' he said. He also rejected political commentary suggesting that PBS was distancing itself from GRS, or was seeking alliances elsewhere. 'We are a founding member of GRS, and our position has not changed. We are focused on making GRS stronger,' he said. Bangkuai also stressed that the current state government is made up of GRS, its 'Plus' partners such as Pakatan Harapan, and some individual Sabah Umno assemblymen, not Barisan Nasional as a coalition. 'The formula we have today is working, and we want to maintain that stability. Barisan is not part of the state government; only certain Umno representatives are, in their personal capacity,' he said. He urged all parties to focus on building political maturity and delivering results, rather than engaging in unnecessary provocation or speculation.
The Star
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Stronger PBS-Sabah STAR ties can only help GRS, says Gunsalam
KOTA KINABALU: The strengthened bond between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah STAR is not meant to threaten the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, says Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. The PBS acting president said that stronger collaboration between the two parties is needed to better unify and strengthen GRS. ALSO READ: PBS and Sabah STAR eyeing more non-Muslim native seats ( He said unity among coalition members was necessary to face the coming 17th State Election. 'To face it, we must unite under GRS,' he said after officiating the Matunggong PBS annual general meeting on Tuesday (June 17). Joachim, who is Deputy Chief Minister II, also reminded PBS members to remain united, prevent disharmony, and assist the GRS candidate fielded in Matunggong. ALSO READ: PBS, Sabah STAR sign MOU towards political unity for Sabah's native communities ( He said PBS will represent GRS in Matunggong, with Datuk Julita Majungki as the candidate. 'Let us work hard to make sure all our candidates win in the coming state election,' he added. In April last year, PBS and Sabah STAR signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in the state election. It was seen as a significant step towards forging political unity that had eluded the native communities for the last three decades.
The Star
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Kitingan misses Kaamatan launch because of medical reasons
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan was noticeably absent from the official launch of the state-level Kaamatan celebration at the Hongkod Koisaan Hall on Friday (May 30). Kitingan, who also serves as the organising chairman of the month-long harvest festival, was said to have sprained his ankle, preventing him from attending the key cultural event that was opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. An aide of Kitingan stated that he did not attend due to medical reasons. In his absence, Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president, took the stage to deliver Kitingan's prepared speech to guests and dignitaries gathered for the launch. The Prime Minister, in his address, acknowledged Kitingan's absence and shared that he had personally reached out to the Sabah STAR president earlier in the day. 'I called Jeffrey Kitingan earlier this morning, and he is recovering well,' Anwar said. Kitingan's absence did not go unnoticed, especially amid heightened political speculation over the direction of Gabungan Sabah (GRS) ahead of the 17th Sabah state election. Political talk has been swirling that Kitingan might pull Sabah STAR out of GRS if Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor continues to push for the coalition to align with Pakatan Harapan. The Kaamatan Festival, celebrated annually throughout May, is one of Sabah's most important cultural events, particularly among the Kadazandusun and Murut communities. The presence of top leaders at its launch is typically seen as a show of unity, making Kitingan's absence all the more conspicuous.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah STAR eyes 15 seats in state polls
Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan confirms they are eyeing 15 seats. KOTA KINABALU: Sabah STAR is eyeing about 15 seats in the upcoming state election as political parties begin staking their claims ahead of formal negotiations within the ruling coalition. Party president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said while PKR has announced its intention to contest 13 seats, DAP 10 and Amanah four, he described such declarations as "not unusual". Recently, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice president Datuk Masiung Banah had also hinted that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is eyeing at least 52 seats, leaving the remaining 21 to its potential partner. "This is normal in politics. Ideally, every party would want to contest all 73 seats. "Everyone has their own interests. There is nothing wrong with that,' he told reporters at the PETRONAS uplifting lives: Kaamatan 2025 handing over ceremony and exclusive preview of PETRONAS Kaamatan film on Tuesday (May 27). Asked on the number of seats Sabah STAR is targeting, Kitingan said: 'It is no secret, 15. As a party, we aim to compete. But of course, within the coalition, seat distribution is necessary. "We will divide the seats accordingly based on changes and the confidence we have in our chances of winning,' he added. Kitingan also addressed ongoing discussions with its allies in GRS, including with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). In April last year, Sabah STAR and PBS took their first step towards forging political unity that had eluded the native communities for the last three decades. The two major parties, Kitingan leading Sabah STAR, and PBS, led by its acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in the coming polls. 'We are currently in discussions with PBS and within our group as well to avoid overlapping of seats. In GRS, we need to resolve things internally before discussing with external parties. That is the process. 'These discussions will continue until everything is settled. It's a good process,' he said, expressing hope that all seat allocations would be finalised before the election is officially announced. Apart from Sabah STAR, PBS and Gagasan Rakyat, the other five component parties are Parti Cinta Sabah, United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah polls: PKR's 13-seat target not arbitrary but based on feedback from state chapter, says youth leader
KOTA KINABALU: Newly-elected PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement that the party is eyeing 13 seats in the upcoming Sabah election was not a unilateral decision by the central leadership, says one of its youth leaders. Mohd Guntur Sangkah said the figure was based on discussions involving Sabah PKR and potential election partners Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). "(The statement) was shaped based on a spirit of mature political cooperation, without sidelining the role of local parties," said Guntur, Sabah PKR's Pensiangan division youth leader and a member of the central youth committee. ALSO READ: Challenges ahead for PKR, says Nurul Izzah He was responding Tuesday (May 27) to a recent statement by Sabah STAR's information chief Anuar Ghani that federal parties in Pakatan and Barisan were undermining state rights by putting pressure on GRS to work with them. "Sabah PKR is not merely a 'branch' that blindly follows central directives. "Since its inception, Sabah PKR has been built through close collaboration between local leaders and national leadership, making it a truly rooted national party in Sabah," Guntur said in a statement. ALSO READ: Anwar assures PKR of fair seat allocation in Sabah election Guntur said PKR is the only national party to enshrine the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in its party constitution, a clear commitment to the rights and autonomy of Sabah. "Sabah STAR, on the other hand, should reflect on its own record before labelling others as political outsiders,' he said. ALSO READ: Sabah DAP aims to contest 10 seats at state polls He said Sabah STAR had once aligned itself with Perikatan Nasional, a coalition that openly weakened Sabah's position in MA63 negotiations and failed to deliver on many development promises. "The reality is, Sabah PKR has remained consistent in its fight for reform and justice for the people of Sabah, while STAR continues to shift its stance according to political convenience. "What Sabah needs is stability and principle, not opportunism," Guntur said.
