KOTA KINABALU: A merger between the two largest native-based firms parties in Sabah is gaining momentum with the creation of a special body on the matter ahead of the state election due next year.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said his party has formed a committee to look into the proposed merger with Sabah STAR.
The decision, he said, made at the PBS supreme council meeting on Monday (Dec 2), came after informal talks between the two parties' leadership to explore the possibility of merging.
The meeting chaired by PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam gave the task of heading the committee to its Tawau MP Datuk Lo Su Fui.
“The committee, whose members include several lawyers, would look into the technical aspects of the merger, among other things,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 3).
Another key decision made at the meeting was to postpone the party (PBS) election scheduled for next year in view of the impending state election, Bangkuai added.
PBS and Sabah STAR had in April signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in facing the Sabah polls, which is due to be held next October.
Sabah STAR is led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan who is also the Deputy Chief Minister I.
Last week, the parties' Joint Leadership Council (JLC) held its second meeting to firm up its collaboration, including identifying the seats to contest and drawing up a strategic plan.
PBS and Sabah STAR hold 13 of the 79 seats in the state assembly. Both parties are part of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition which currently leads the state government.
