PARTI Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) has yet to apply to join Pakatan Harapan after leaving Barisan Nasional on May 12.

The party won the Pensiangan federal and Sook state seats in the 14th general election.

State PH chairman Christina Liew told Malaysian Decides today that neither the state nor federal PH has received the party’s application.

PBRS president Joseph Kurup had said the party would submit a formal application to join the pact.

“They said they have applied to join (as reported) in the newspapers, but the PKR headquarters have not received any application. The Sabah office, too, has not received anything.”

Liew said PBRS’ chances of joining PH are slim as coalition chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has shut the door to BN defectors.

Joseph could not be reached for comments.

His deputy, Arthur Kurup, however, said PBRS will remain as an independent party for now.

“We are reviewing our position, and our utmost priority now remains the fight for Sabahans.

“We are still waiting for the supreme council’s endorsement of the president’s decision, before we make any decision on joining any coalition,” said Arthur, who is also Pensiangan MP.

Joseph had said one of PBRS’ aims is to work with Sarawak parties to boost East Malaysia’s representation at the federal level.

Arthur, who is Joseph’s son, won the five-cornered fight for Pensiangan by 2,314 votes. Ellron Angin won Sook by 4,485 votes in a four-cornered battle. – May 26, 2018.