Joniston (centre) launches the Kota Kinabalu Food Trail map at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu today.
KOTA KINABALU (Oct 13): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) still hopes to meet and discuss with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) regarding their joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said PBS has not formally met with STAR since the latter’s exit from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), but the MoU signed by the two parties in April last year—to avoid seat clashes in the coming state elections—is still binding.
Joniston clarified that, according to clause five of the MoU, termination requires mutual agreement from both sides, adding that PBS respects STAR’s decision to depart from GRS.
“I hope that we can have a sit-down to look at the MoU. Even though we are now at different roads, I believe that we still have the same goal of serving the state and the people.
“Let us try to find a way to discuss and respect what has been signed,” he told reporters after launching the Kota Kinabalu Food Trail at a hotel here today.
When asked whether PBS had tried to reach out to STAR to initiate discussions, Joniston said he was unsure of the latest developments, although he noted that efforts were being made in this regard.
Meanwhile, Joniston reiterated PBS’ full support for GRS and confirmed that the party will contest in the 17th Sabah elections under the GRS logo.
He emphasised that PBS prioritises strengthening the local coalition through unity and encouraged all GRS component parties to contest under the same banner.
“If we start use our own logos to contest, where is the meaning? Where is the unity?
“We are trying to show that unity is of utmost importance, so I think that if we start using our own banner, it defeats our purpose of trying to bring everyone together — like what Sarawak did with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS),” he said.
Joniston opined that Sabahans see Sarawak as unified through GPS regardless of race of religion, and said GRS provides a similar platform.
“So for us at PBS, we will continue to ensure that GRS will eventually be a dominant coalition of local parties, just like in Sarawak,” he said.
He underscored GRS’ firm stance that parties under its umbrella must leave if they decide to contest under their own logo, adding that he believes Pakatan Harapan (PH) has also taken note of this.
“So in the context of Upko (United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation), we leave if to PH to decide whether it is allowed or not. I’m just saying that if GRS can do it, then hopefully they will also take note of it,” he said.
Joniston was commenting on Upko’s proposal to contest under its own logo in the upcoming state election.
In a recent statement, Tuaran Upko Youth chief Rayner Ebi defended the party’s proposal, describing it as a mark of political autonomy and a strategic reflection of local identity, in line with the autonomy granted to Sabah PH by its chairman.