KOTA KINABALU: Sabah STAR is wondering if the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it signed with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) in 2024 is still valid.
This follows PBS’ recent declaration of support for a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate for the Tambunan seat.
Sabah STAR was part of the eight-member GRS but exited the coalition with SAPP to contest the state election on their own.
The MOU indirectly means that Sabah STAR and PBS should be supporting each other.
“We thought they would honour this understanding despite us not being in GRS anymore,” said Sabah STAR secretary-general Datuk Edward Linggu.
“By declaring open support for the GRS Tambunan candidate, Victor Paut, does it mean PBS has ended the MOU on their own terms?”
When PBS did not field anyone for the Tambunan seat held by Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Edward said they thought it was because of the MOU.
On their part, Sabah STAR did not contest Kundasang and Matunggong, seats held by the PBS acting president and PBS secretary-general.
“Our party’s strategy director had openly declared support for PBS Matunggong because of the MOU,” Edward said.
He added that they thought PBS had returned the favour by not contesting in Tambunan.
Addressing this issue, PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said that when Sabah STAR left GRS with SAPP, PBS had asked for a meeting to discuss the MOU.
He said the agreement should remain in effect until both parties mutually agreed to suspend or dissolve it.
