Joniston says PBS would be in the forefront to ensure a convincing victory for GRS in the forthcoming state election.
KOTA KINABALU : – Unity in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is strong with its chairman, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, regularly meeting with component party leaders.
GRS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said that these meetings not only address state matters but also focus on party issues, reflecting the strong cohesion within the coalition.
Joniston was reacting to a viral report speculating that Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) was hoping to collaborate with STAR and opposition Warisan for the next state election.
In the report, a PBS supreme council member is urging a unification of three key parties in Sabah—STAR, PBS, and WARISAN—as a strategic move to prepare for the upcoming Sabah State Election.
It’s further pointed out that Insiders within PBS have expressed concerns that the partnership with GRS has not yielded significant political benefits and may even be detrimental.
Joniston dismissed the claims as baseless rumors aimed at undermining GRS unity.
“What was reported is nothing more than mere speculation peddled by irresponsible quarters with the malicious intention to break the strong unity in GRS,” he said in a statement Friday.
He said it must be noted that both the president of STAR Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam have already responded that their party are very much committed to GRS.
The statements by the two leaders should put an end to rumours and speculations that is obviously intended to create disharmony and discord in GRS.
“In the recent PBS-STAR Joint Leadership Council (JLC) meeting, both parties also emphasised the need to align their efforts to strengthen respective influence and GRS’s presence across Sabah ahead of the state poll,” said Joniston who is also PBS information chief and a member of the PBS-STAR JLC.
The PBS-STAR JLC was set up after the two parties which respectively holds seven and six seats in the State Assembly entered into a collaboration agreement.
As the second largest component member in GRS, Joniston said PBS would be in the forefront to ensure a convincing victory for GRS in the forthcoming state election.
He urged the public not to be misled by political propaganda, stating that those envious of GRS’s growing strength will continue spreading falsehoods and baseless claims against the GRS-PH Plus government.
