LABUAN: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has proceeded to form a new opposition bloc, known as ‘Gabungan Bersatu’, to represent and fight for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, without Umno.
PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the bloc also comprised independent members of parliament (MPs) and state assemblymen from the two states.
He said this was done as the earlier consensus with Umno to form an alliance comprising PBS, Umno and Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR) did not materialise as Umno had not reached any decision on the matter.
“I was told that Sabah Umno leadership is still keeping in view the proposal to join the alliance as it needs to get the permission from its central leadership … unless they (elected MPs and assemblymen) resign from Umno, then only they can (freely) join the alliance.
“However, I was also told that they are also seeking for an autonomy, of which is very unclear…what do they mean with autonomy and to what extent of the autonomy? Nonetheless, based on the feedback from the grassroots, we felt that as long as Umno is with us, the alliance will not go far,” he said. — Bernama