SABAH opposition leaders have officially formed the Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) coalition today, naming Joseph Pairin Kitingan as interim chairman.

The new coalition comprises Umno Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Solidariti) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), with all the party leaders named co-chairmen. They are Hajiji Noor (Umno Sabah), Maximus Ongkili (PBS), Jeffrey Kitingan (Solidariti) and Joseph Kurup (PBRS).

The coalition also named Masidi Manjun (Sabah Umno) as secretary-general and Joniston Bangkuai (PBS) as information chief, while all the elected representatives in the coalition will automatically become supreme council members.

Pairin said the coalition will also initiate cooperation with the federal Pakatan Harapan government as they still believe they are the legitimate government.

“As far as we know, the legitimacy of the present state government is still being questioned and we are leaving it to the court to decide on this issue,” he said, referring to the ongoing chief minister court case.

The Sabah High Court will hear submissions from Parti Warisan Sabah and Umno Sabah in the chief minister legal dispute. Musa Aman has laid claim to the chief minister position.  

Plans to set up the GBS were mooted following the outcome of the 14th general election. The GBS will have 21 state assemblymen and ten MPs.

Meanwhile, Masidi said the GBS will recognise the changing political landscape in Sabah, saying the trend of one party having dominance over others is no longer relevant.

He was referring to the old Barisan Nasional (BN) regime which was previously dominated by Umno Sabah.

“Under the GBS, there will be no one party having more influence than the others.

“This is why all the leaders from all parties have been named as co-chairmen, so there will be no doubt with regard to leadership,” he said.

When asked whether there will be any conflict of interest between BN and Umno Sabah being in the GBS, he said, “We will cross the bridge when we get there”.

Ongkili said the GBS will serve as an alternative platform that will fight for state rights and might even take over as the state government, whether in the next general elections or following the outcome of the chief minister suit.

He also said the coalition will be registered soon, and that Musa will also be an adviser. Former Usukan assemblyman Salleh Said Keruak and Kimanis MP Anifah Aman will also be named as co-chairmen in the GBS.

“We will decide later if other parties like Sabah Progressive Party, Liberal Democratic Party and MIC will be admitted or not,” he added. – October 24, 2018.