PLANS are in motion to set up Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS), as Umno leaders ready themselves for Barisan Nasional’s swansong in the state.

State Umno liaison chief Hajiji Noor today confirmed that BN will no longer exist in the state, as well as the formation of the new pact.

“This does not mean there will be no more BN. BN is still a coalition, but in Sabah, we want to form an opposition bloc called GBS.

“Umno will still be in BN, but in Sabah, it will part of the state coalition,” said Hajiji after the state assembly sitting.

He said an application for the setting up of GBS will be submitted to the Registrar of Societies “very soon”.

The state pact will comprise Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), as well as other local parties, independent candidates and expected defectors from Umno, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation.

GBS was first mooted after the May 9 general election. Following this, PBS and PBRS ditched BN.

It was also part of a deal struck between leaders of the state Umno and Star, which formed a cooperation after the 14th general election.

Part of the plan is to no longer have Umno in the state.

However, state Umno secretary Masidi Manjun said the real intention is to have a registered state-owned opposition entity.

“There may be a need one day for a formalised bloc. There are also non-BN parties and independents in the new bloc.”

Star president Jeffrey Kitingan said the Umno leaders will join GBS “under a new identity”.

He said the Malay party’s leaders have realised that Sabahans want a state-based party instead of a national one that depends on its headquarters in the peninsula for key decisions.

“State Umno leaders said they still have to discuss with their headquarters, to completely close and ‘migrate’, or else, there will be complications.

“They have to resolve their own problems first.”

He said the GBS leadership will be determined once a presidential council is held after the pact is declared official by RoS.

“There are plans to register the new coalition with RoS about 10 days from now.” – August 14, 2018.