KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili is taking leave as Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president effective June 1, 2024 and in his absence, deputy president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam would be helming the party as acting president.
Dr Joachim…acting President
With Dr Joachim who is deputy president for the party’s non-Muslim Bumiputera quota moving up as acting president, information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai would serve the additional responsibility of acting deputy president.
Datuk Joniston Bangkuai…acting Deputy President
PBS secretary general Datuk Julita Majunki disclosed in a statement on Saturday.
She said the move demonstrates the party’s commitment to ensuring continuity and adaptation in its leadership structure, ultimately serving the interests of the party and its members.
In June 2022, Ongkili, the former four-term Kota Marudu MP, set a three-year timeframe to identify his successor as party president, saying a leadership transition could happen before or during the next party congress.
PBS, which is part of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, has seven assemblymen.
On Wednesday, Gunsalam said PBS and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) are set to sign a memorandum of understanding to formalise their collaboration.
Last November, it was reported that PBS and STAR had agreed to start formal negotiations focussed on building understanding and cooperation.
STAR president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had revived the idea of a merger with PBS, describing it as one way to strengthen the two Kadazandusun Murut-based parties.
Kitingan said the idea of a merger had been floated since the 2020 state election.
