No rush for PBS-Sabah STAR merger, says Joachim Gunsalam

PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is not rushing into any merger talks with Sabah STAR, says Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

The PBS deputy president said that the party was prepared to continue working with Sabah STAR under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition umbrella led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Dr Gunsalam, who is also Deputy Chief Minister II, said that the idea of merging the parties was only a suggestion by Sabah STAR chief Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

"We haven't had any discussions on it. It would look like talk of this merger is premature because there has been no official committee formed to discuss it," said Dr Gunsalam, who also heads the PBS task force.

He added that PBS would continue to work with Sabah STAR under GRS till the next state election due in 2025.

"This working relationship will continue and be strengthened till the 17th state election," he added.

Kitingan last week had said that Sabah STAR was prepared to merge with PBS to strengthen its native Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus political base of their multi-racial parties ahead of the next state elections.

Dr Gunsalam said that any move to merge the party would need the support of all its members and the endorsement at the party's congress.

PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, who has kept a low profile in recent months, has not commented on Kitingan's suggestion to merge with PBS, which was formed by his elder brother Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in 1985.