(Seated from left) Masidi, Anifah, Hajiji, Pairin, Jeffrey and Maximus, together with other members of GBS at the press conference.
KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) has given indication that it is ready to take over the present Sabah government.
According to GBS interim chairman, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the newly announced alliance, GBS, whose members comprise of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Umno Sabah, State Reform Party (STAR Sabah), and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), is ready to take over the current government which until now, has not has its status affirmed.
“GBS will ensure Malaysia and Sabah remain harmonious and united, improve the state’s socio-economic development and uphold and practise the national principles,” he said in his statement to the press yesterday.
He added that the Warisan-led government has failed to carry out its duties as entrusted by the people, after five months in power, and have also shown their weaknesses.
Five months into power, the Parti Warisan state government has created nothing but mess in Sabah, thus showing that it is incapable of running the Sabah government, including many of its U-turns and flip-flop policies that have created a big chaos, he claimed.
Among the flip-flop policies are the Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED), Kaiduan Dam, lifting of pump-boats ban and revisiting the proposal to mine coal in the pristine world heritage site of Maliau Basin and to use coal as a source of energy.
In a press statement distributed later, it was also mentioned that the Warisan government has misplaced its priorities on illegal
immigrants instead of prioritising Sabahans as can be seen from the actions taken from fires of squatters colonies, documentation, pump-boats, issuance of
IMM13 and paralysis of government with sackings of village heads, village security and development
committee (JKKK) chiefs, and councillors.
“GBS is all set to work hard together to face and win the next general election,
when it happens,” Pairin asserted.
He also said that GBS will work and cooperate fully with the Pakatan Harapan federal government for the good of Malaysia Baru and Sabah.
He explained that the decision to form GBS, which has yet to be registered, was made following the last general election results and what transpired after that.
“Realising the heartbeat of the people who thirst for unity and political strength among political parties in Sabah, we have discussed and agreed to form GBS and replace the old political regime,” he told press members at the Le Meridien Hotel.
In terms of structure, the four political parties in GBS have agreed to appoint Pairin as the interim chairman, while the president of the respective parties, namely Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili, who is PBS deputy president, is tasked to carry out the duties of the party’s president, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Mohd Noor, who is chairman of Umno Sabah, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is STAR Sabah president, and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, who is the president
of PBRS, are appointed as co-chairmen.
Former Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, is appointed as the secretary general, while Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Said Keruak is the treasurer. Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai
is appointed as the information chief.
Pairin informed that the remaining members of parliament and state assemblymen from the parties involved automatically become the GBS committee members.
During the press conference, Hajiji also stressed that Umno Sabah remained steady and strong.
“We have state assemblymen and parliamentarians and senators. There are also division heads who continue to administer as usual,” he said.
Masidi, who was also present at the press conference, stressed that Umno Sabah has been given full autonomy to decide upon themselves who they want to associate with.
He also said that their priority is to win back the government and that they were there together to prepare for the future.
Former Umno senior leader Datuk Seri Panglima Anifah Aman, who was also present, said he may consider forming a party if that was
required of him to qualify to join GBS.
“I may consider, but otherwise, there are lots of parties in Sabah,” he said.
STAR Sabah president, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said that GBS was a new approach and that the alliance will create a new team and new leadership that will enable
it to move forward and not be static.
“The leaders in the component will move as one team. It will be driven and advised by former chief minister Tan Sri, my brother (Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan) and Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman,” said Jeffrey.
He also mentioned that it is not known when Musa will return to Sabah but cited that this will occur when the latter is fully recovered.