MORE Sabah and Sarawak leaders across the political divide are warming to the idea of a “Borneo bloc” mooted by Sabah leaders.

The latest to show interest was Parti Rakyat Sarawak president James Masing, who said it was an idea worth looking into.

“Personally, it is an interesting idea worth considering.

“It’s about time we (Sabah and Sarawak) get together. The fragmentation of parties in Borneo does not help us at all,” Masing said on the sidelines of  Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg’s Raya open house at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching today.

Masing, who is also a deputy chief minister, was asked about Sabah Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Jeffrey Kitingan’s wish to meet with Sarawak parties, including the former Sarawak Barisan Nasional parties, after Hari Raya.

Even though Kitingan’s loose Gabungan Bersatu coalition of Sabah parties is not aligned to the ruling Parti Warisan Sabah, there was, however, interest shown by Warisan leaders to the Borneo Bloc idea.

Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking, who is also enthusiastic about the bloc, had earlier last week said the pullout of Sarawak’s ruling parties from Barisan Nasional could help make the bloc a reality.

Leiking had said the bloc, which Kitingan envisioned would comprise Gabungan Bersatu, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and the Warisan-PKR-DAP-Upko ruling coalition, would enable the two Borneo territories to work together to pursue their aspirations of co-administering the Federation of Malaysia together.

Masing echoed his thoughts.

“We do that for the good of Malaysia, to make this country a better nation,” Masing said. – June 15, 2018.