Kota Kinabalu: Wiramuda Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) head, Kong Soon Choi lauded the proposal to merge the party with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) as a right decision with the current political landscape.
He said it is hoped that the proposal would be accepted by the top leadership of PBS so that the local parties in the state of Sabah would be stronger to face the next State General Election (PRN).
“A consensus decision between the two top leaderships of the party needs to be made to make the proposed merger more tolerant, harmonious and agreeable for the strength of the party’s struggle,” he said in a statement.
Kong, who is also the Sabah Ko-Nelayan Chairman, said that Star and PBS are two political party entities based on the Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus (KDMR) tribes that are able to raise the voice of the indigenous community loudly, especially on the issues enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
SPONSORED CONTENT Shell’s Access to Energy helps power lives of isolated communities in Sabah Kota Kinabalu: In 2017, Sabah Shell Petroleum Co Ltd (SSPC) launched Access to Energy (A2E), a Shell Social Investment programme aimed at providing affordable and continuous supply of electricity from renewable sources for communities who live without connection to the electricity grid. Read more He stressed that Exco Wiramuda Star would continue to stand behind their party President to provide support towards political transformation that benefits the development agenda of the state and the people of Sabah.
On Sunday, Star President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan expressed a proposal to join PBS to face the upcoming Sabah PRN.
PBS is currently led by Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Jonity Ongkili and has seven seats while Star has six.
“It is true that our desire is there, it has been a long time since the last PRN and there have been discussions between the leaders of both parties but it could not be realised at that time.
“However, now the idea comes again. For me it is the best move for both parties and I am positive about it. I hope it will come true,” Dr Jeffrey stated after the convention.
Dr Jeffrey, who is also Keningau Member of Parliament and Tambunan Assemblyman, however admitted that both parties might face some challenges in realising the proposed merger.
“One of our challenges is to determine the name, symbol and who the president of the coalition is, but we believe we will be able to find a solution to the matter,” he said.
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