'PBS failed to gain more seats during polls due to Star's exit from GRS'

 

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Dr Joachim Gunsalam said his party failed to win more seats in the recent Sabah election due to Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku’s (Star) exit from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

Star’s exit, he stated, resulted in a split among Kadazan-Dusun-Murut (KDM) votes, leading to multi-cornered contests in several KDM-majority constituencies, limiting PBS’ ability to secure additional seats.

“Following the departure of Star from GRS, the KDM votes were divided.

“Initially, we already had cooperation arrangements, but at the end of the day… they contested against us,” Joachim (above) said after opening the party’s delegates meeting at the KDCA Hall in Penampang today.

Star left GRS on Oct 2 after friction over seat negotiations and unease with cooperation involving Pakatan Harapan.

For the record, PBS won seven seats in the state election, unchanged from its 2020 tally.

PBS lost its long-held stronghold of Tamparuli but offset the setback by gaining Limbahau.

However, non-party member Juil Nuatim, under the PBS quota, won Limbahau, reflecting what Joachim said was a pragmatic approach to winnability.

“We go for quality. It is not about contesting more seats and then losing more than that, especially when funds are limited; we have to be smart and contest wisely,” he said.

Sabah for Sabahan call remains

In another development, Joachim said the “Sabah for Sabahan” spirit remains firm, but not in a confrontational approach towards Putrajaya.

He explained that the call meant prioritising Sabahans, including Borneonisation and placing locals in state positions.

“We need a lot of funding from Putrajaya, so instead of being antagonistic to them, why can’t we work with the federal government?” he asked.

On whether GRS should contest the upcoming Lamag and Kinabatangan by-elections, Joachim said it would be wise for the coalition not to do so.

The late Bung Moktar Radin

The Lamag state seat and Kinabatangan parliamentary seat became vacant following the passing of Bung Moktar Radin on Dec 5.

The Election Commission has set Jan 24 as polling day.

‘Lost years’ will be resolved

On Sabah’s 40 percent revenue entitlement, Joachim said discussions to resolve issues related to the “lost years” remain at the technical committee stage.

The “lost years” refer to Sabah’s claim that it was underpaid its constitutional 40 percent revenue entitlement between 1974 and 2022.

He said senior state and federal officials will meet beginning tomorrow, and until then, political parties such as PBS will not intervene in the process.

“The Sabah secretary (Safar Untong) will chair the meeting along with the federal counterparts.

“So, at this point we have to wait and be patient,” he said, expressing confidence that Sabah’s constitutional rights will eventually be resolved. - Mkini