Sabah polls: PBS, STAR avert clashes in two seats in compromise

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Hamzah flanked by with Jahid (left) and Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU (Sept 22): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has pulled out of the race in Tambunan and Bingkor seats to give way to Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) in the state polls this Saturday.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin made the announcement here today, with PBS secretary general Datuk Jahid Jahim and STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan present.

In return, the two independents contesting in Api-Api and Bengkoka, who are aligned to STAR,will also pull out from the election and they have pledged their support to the PBS candidates in the two seats.

“There will be no more clashes between PBS and STAR in these four seats. This will give a higher chance for our candidates to win,” said Hamzah.

Barisan Nasional, PN (where STAR is a part of) and PBS are contesting under the banner of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in this election.

However, they still clashed in 17 seats, namely Bengkoka, Telupid, Lumadan, Matunggong, Tandek, Kadamaian, Kapayan, Karamunting, Melalap, Sook, Bingkor, Moyog, Tulid, Paginatan, Liawan, Tambunan and Tanjung Aru.

PBS’ Silverius Bruno clashes with Jeffrey in the six-cornered contest in Tambunan while PBS’ Peter Jino Allion clashes with Star’s Robert Tawik in the six-cornered contest in Bingkor.

“PBS will support STAR in Tambunan and Bingkor while STAR will support PBS in Bengkoka and Api-Api,” Hamzah reiterated.

He explained that all four candidates had willingly given up their seats and that there were no threats used against them.

He added that GRS was in the midst of negotiating the clashes in four other seats

Separately, Jahid said that the PBS’ main aim was to overthrow the Warisan Plus government.

He said that PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili had advised the two PBS candidates to pull out.

“The president had also submitted a letter to the Election Commission (EC) to inform them that the PBS logo will no longer be used in the two seats,” said Jahid.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey said that the decision to cooperate in the four seats would have a big impact on the voters.