No immediate plan for PBS-PH alignment

KOTA MARUDU, Mar 25, 2019:

Parti Bersatu Sabah remains at its current position, assured its President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, today.

“There is no immediate plan, nor did we send any application to be aligned with the Pakatan Harapan-led government,” he said after launching the Akademi Kepimpinan Bersatu’s leadership training for PBS Northern Zone members, here.

To date, he said there is no plan to join the Parti Warisan-led government, but PBS is planning to explore the possibility aligning with the Federal Government.

He noted that such strategic move of aligning with Pakatan Harapan can only be made by the Supreme Council of the party and after studying all options and justifications.

“Question about joining the PH can only be answered if the party's leadership is convinced that there are tangible benefits to the people of Sabah.

“ We will only consider being partner of PH if the Federal Government can guarantee solutions to the long-standing issue pertaining the large presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah, as well as restoring the Sabah's Rights as contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“So until any decision is made, we will remain where we are, strengthening our grassroots and preparing for next general elections,” he said.

Despite this, Ongkili said that on many occasions, they have publicly announced that PBS is PH friendly.

“Which means we'll support any policies and programmes that are good for the people, especially Sabah and Sarawak, but will object and go against all policies and programmes that are not beneficial to Sabahans and Sarawakians, especially matters that affect our rights and privileges” he said.

Ongkili reminded the people that PBS are in the opposition camp not by choice but through UPKO's act of betrayal, stressing: “(UPKO did this to us.”

He said in Parliament, the PBS and Sarawak Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) members of parliament are ‘independents’.

Meanwhile, at the event, the PBS President presented the party's membership card to 800 new members and later received 783 new membership applications from five northern divisions namely Tanjung Kapor, Matunggong, Tandek, Tempasuk and Kadamaian.