PBS-STAR cooperation to strengthen GRS – Joachim

PENAMPANG (Oct 28): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam has allayed party members’ fear over the agreement with STAR Sabah.

Joachim explained the agreement signed on April 18, this year is to strengthen Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

“The agreement is to strengthen cooperation … in terms of demography, if we have understanding, the percentage of winning will increase. So don’t fear our cooperation. It is to strengthen GRS. There are a lot of allegations, but I can assure you it will not happen,” he said at the 39th PBS Annual Delegates Conference for its Youth and Wanita movements at the the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) here on Monday.

The MoU is aimed at cooperating in the coming election and to ensure political unity for the good of Sabah.

Joachim, who is Deputy Chief Minister II, also said young people with leadership qualities will be brought forward and highlighted.

He reminded that age is just a number for him.

“You may be young, but if your leadership skills are strong, you don’t need to wait until you are 70 to become a leader,” he said.

Prior to that, Joachim reminded that PBS is 39 years old and saluted party leaders and members who have faithfully stayed with the party and to its cause during that time.

“It is not easy and some have moved on,” he said.

He added that 39 years ago, PBS was set up on the principle of defending the rights of Sabah based on democracy.

“I believe that until now, our struggle is still to defend the rights of the people of Sabah and of Sabah in Malaysia,” he said.

He reminded that Sabah did not join Malaysia but formed the country with the Sarawak region, Singapore and Tanah Melayu.

“We did not join the Malaysia country. We formed the country,” he told the delegates.

However, he said that after 60 years, Sabah is still dreaming of a fair development and growth.

“This is our struggle. As long as there is imbalance in terms of development between the regions in our country, we shall continue our struggle and our party is still relevant,” he said.

Joachim also said that the Sabah state election will surely be held next year.

“That is not far, so we must be prepared right now. I want the Youth and Wanita wings to ensure PBS remains relevant and particularly at places that we are representing,” he said.

He also urged them to identify candidates from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition and said, “We must support them fully.”

“The Wanita chief wants 37 seats (which will allow the GRS to form the government) but I believe if all the components (in GRS) work together, GRS can win two-third (in the coming Sabah election),” he said.

He added that what is important is to ensure Sabah is led by a local party.

“We can work with parties from Malaya but Sabah must be led by a local party that knows Sabah’s needs and there is no control from presidents who are not from Sabah so that we can become more prosperous,” he said.