KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) is set to work on a strategic partnership with Parti Kuasa Rakyat - a party led by Kamarazaman Yaakob, the prime minister's brother.
Falling short of saying that Kuasa Rakyat was looking at merging with PBM, Kamarazaman said that his party would be using PBM as their vehicle under the strategic plan for the coming election.
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"We are joining forces," he said at the press conference on Sunday (Aug 28) where Lahad Datu MP Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi announced his decision to join PBM.
Also present was PBM president Datuk Larry Sng.
When asked to elaborate further on the "merging", Kamaruzaman said that Kuasa members would be members of PBM but any movements moving forward would be decided by the party’s Supreme Council later.
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"Our party is combining with PBM for several reasons, including ensuring bigger political power at national level and because both entities are Barisan Nasional government friendly," said Kamarazaman.
He said that Kuasa Rakyat agreed for Sabah and Sarawak side to be given autonomy to reflect power sharing with Peninsular Malaysia.
Kamarazaman also hoped that PBM would consider adding the words Parti Kuasa Rakyat as part of PBM's name to reflect their partnership.
However, Sng said that there was just a suggestion as both parties were working together under a strategic partnership.
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"Following our decision to join forces, PBM will be having our annual general meeting on Oct 1 where we will be discussing updating the party Constitution to incorporate views of Kuasa Rakyat," he said.
Sng also said with Kuasa Rakyat cooperating with them, PBM will come up with a power sharing formula and also to amend the party constitution to allow more administrative powers to Sabah and Sarawak, so it was reflective of MA63 spirit.
"We welcome them (Kuasa Rakyat) with full hearts. We will continue to support the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri and hope to bring further development to Sabah and Sarawak," he added.
Sng told reporters that PBM would defend all of its four Parliament seats - Ampang, Tebrau, Julau and now Lahad Datu.
"We are expecting others (elected representatives) from Selangor, Perak, and we believe some other states, including Sabah and Sarawak. But for now we can confirm on contesting in all our incumbent seats.
"We will make an announcement on Oct 30 (in Kuala Lumpur and we can bring the numbers up," he revealed.
