PBM and Kuasa join forces, but say it’s not a merger

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) is set to work with Parti Kuasa Rakyat, led by Kamaruzaman Yaakob, the Prime Minister’s brother.

Falling short of saying that Kuasa was merging with PBM, Kamaruzaman said his party would be using PBM as its vehicle in a “strategic plan” for the coming general election.

“We are joining forces,” he told a press conference yesterday in which Lahad Datu MP Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi announced his decision to join PBM.

Asked to elaborate further, Kamaruzaman said Kuasa members would be members of PBM but any other move would be decided by the party’s supreme council later.

“Our party is combining with PBM for several reasons, including ensuring greater political power at the national level and because both entities are Barisan Nasional-friendly,” said Kamaruzaman.

He said Kuasa agreed that the Sabah and Sarawak side be given autonomy to reflect power sharing with Peninsular Malaysia.

Kamaruzaman said he also hoped that PBM would consider adding the words “Parti Kuasa Rakyat” to part of PBM’s name to reflect their partnership.

However, Sng said it was just a suggestion as both parties were working together under the strategic partnership.

“Following our decision to join forces, PBM will be having our annual general meeting on Oct 1 where we discuss updating the party constitution to incorporate the views of Kuasa,” he added.

Sng also said that with the Kuasa cooperation, PBM would come up with a power-sharing formula and would also amend the party constitution to give more administrative powers to Sabah and Sarawak.

“We welcome them (Kuasa) with a full heart. We will continue to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and hope to bring further development to Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.

Sng told reporters that PBM would defend all of its four parliamentary seats – Ampang, Tebrau, Julau and now Lahad Datu.

“We are expecting (other elected representatives) from Selangor, Perak, and some other states, including Sabah and Sarawak. But for now, we can confirm contesting in all our incumbent seats,” he said.