PBS denies rift with GRS, calls for unity ahead of Sabah state election

PARTI Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has firmly denied speculation suggesting the party plans to break away from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), saying such claims are baseless and designed to weaken coalition unity ahead of the upcoming state election.

PBS information chief and Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the recurring rumours were deliberately spread by certain quarters to confuse the public and destabilise Sabah’s political landscape.

“These persistent claims bring no benefit other than to unsettle supporters and undermine the political stability that GRS has maintained through strong cooperation among its component parties,” he said on Sunday during a community engagement in Kampung Lokub.

Joniston confirmed that the matter had not been raised in the party’s recent Supreme Council meeting.

“Our acting president, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, once again affirmed PBS’s full commitment to strengthening GRS as a united local coalition, while maintaining constructive and respectful ties with the Federal Government,” he added.

He stressed that PBS’s stance is grounded in the belief that unity among local parties is essential to ensuring long-term political stability and safeguarding Sabah’s interests.

Joniston acknowledged grassroots sentiment but reminded that political decisions should be rooted in sound judgement rather than fleeting popularity.

“What is popular is not always right,” he said, cautioning that frequent shifts in political direction could lead to instability, ultimately disrupting governance and long-term development.

“We cannot afford to be divided — others would only benefit from our disunity. We are aware of the political dynamics in Sabah, and our decisions must be based on current realities,” he stated.

Reaffirming PBS’s direction, Joniston said the party remains committed to helping GRS grow into a dominant political force in Sabah, drawing comparisons to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in neighbouring Sarawak, which has successfully maintained local cohesion while engaging effectively with the federal administration. - October12, 2025