The Malaysian Insight

THE former Sabah Umno group that signed a conditional agreement to form Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) after the 14th general election last year is officially out of the alliance talks, said co-leader Maximus Ongkili today.

However, he said this will not stop the existing parties in GBS to strengthen the alliance by forming a partnership with other Sabah opposition parties and keep their friendship with the former Umno men.

“The Umno gang have left, they are those who have signed a conditional type of alliance with us… so I think the best strategy now for Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is to wait and see, continue serving the people, prepare for the long-term and form alliances with others,” he told reporters after hosting the PBS Hari Raya Open House in Tamparuli, Tuaran today.

GBS is a coalition of parties formed after Barisan Nasional (BN) fell from power in Sabah after GE14.

The coalition is comprised with PBS, Sabah Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

PBS, PBRS and Umno were former colleagues in BN. Maximus had previously told Sabah Umno to decide whether to stay in or leave GBS.

Maximus former Sabah Umno liaison chief Hajiji Mohd Noor had left the party to join Bersatu, a Pakatan Harapan component party, in December last year and that derailed plans to join GBS.

The Kota Marudu MP said talks on forming GBS had been kept “low” as there is no certainty in Sabah politics and there’s no telling what can happen in future.

Meanwhile, GBS co-deputy chairman cum Star president Jeffrey Kitingan agrees with Maximus and said the best thing to do now is to move forward with a positive vibe. – June 23, 2019.