Kota Kinabalu: Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said a merger between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) is merely a proposal.
The PBS deputy president said while the oldest local party welcomes the intention expressed by Star President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, there have been no formal discussions.
Star had said that it is ready to form an alliance with PBS to strengthen the Kadazan Dusun Murut-based multiracial party before the next Sabah election scheduled to be held in two years.
“Any talk of an alliance is premature as there is no official committee formed to discuss the matter.
“PBS has been rooted in this State for the past 38 years. For an alliance, it needs the approval of all PBS members through the Annual Congress,” he said in a statement, Thursday.
Dr Joachim, who is also PBS Task Force Chairman, said the party has been cooperating with other component parties within Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Both PBS and Star are GRS members.
“This cooperation will continue and be strengthened leading up to the 17th state election,” he added.
Last week, GRS Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai had also said that while a merger could promote unity and strengthen the coalition, it would be a challenge to make it work.
Joniston said this was because seat distribution and candidate selection have been a notorious source of internal discord within political coalitions.
