PARTI Bersatu Sabah (PBS) wants Sabah Umno to make up their mind on whether to stay or leave Barisan Nasional (BN).

Its deputy president president Maximus Ongkili said his party had agreed to join Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) with conditions, one of which was that Sabah Umno sort out its “dual role”. 

“It should be in just one alliance to avoid confusion,” he said.

Sabah Umno are awaiting a decision from the party’s central leadership on their autonomy, which will involve the national Umno leaders having to amend the party’s constitution.

Ongkili also said PBS wants GBS to be a simple alliance with no constitution and that members of the new coalition must comprise parties with assemblymen and MPs who had won seats in the 14th General Election.

Lastly, Ongkili said PBS wants GBS to have some rules of engagement without too much formality.

According to him, leaders from PBS, Sabah Umno, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Solidariti) are expected to announce the establishment of GBS soon.

Ongkili said the members had also agreed to name Joseph Pairin Kitingan as the alliance’s interim chairman, while presidents and heads of the other component parties will be the deputies. – October 21, 2018.