PBS committee to study possible merger with STAR

 

PBS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the party’s Supreme Council decided today to set up a panel to study a proposed merger with STAR following informal negotiations.

PETALING JAYA: 

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has established a committee to study the proposal for the party to merge with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), led by Jeffrey Kitingan.

PBS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the party’s Supreme Council decided to set up the panel today following informal negotiations between the two parties.

Its Tawau MP Lo Su Fui will head the committee, he said, according to The Borneo Post.

The idea of a PBS-STAR merger was revived by Kitingan in July last year in a bid to strengthen the two Kadazandusun-Murut-based parties.

Kitingan, who is a deputy chief minister, said the idea was floated following Sabah’s last state election in 2020. PBS had said its delegates would decide on the matter at its party congress.

Talk of a merger faded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties in April this year.

The signing followed months of negotiations to ensure no conflicts occurred between the two parties during the state elections expected next year. - FMT