Kota Kinabalu: Cooperation between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (StarSabah) remains relevant, but it should not only emerge when elections are approaching, said Acting PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
He said political cooperation between parties must be consistent from the beginning and not temporary for short-term political interests.
“We have previously worked with StarSabah. For me, such cooperation is still relevant. However, we do not want cooperation that only appears when elections are near.
“If we want to work together, it should be from the beginning until the end of the struggle,” he said at PBS’ 41st anniversary celebration at Hakka Hall here Thursday.
Dr Joachim said consistency in political struggle is important to ensure the party continues to earn the people’s confidence.
“We must remain consistent in our struggle. We cannot say one thing today and change direction tomorrow,” he said.
PBS and StarSabah forged a cooperative partnership under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) umbrella in 2024, aiming to consolidate support among Kadazan-Dusun-Murut-Rungus (KDMR) communities and strengthen their position within the state’s ruling coalition.
The two parties entered into a memorandum of understanding to coordinate electoral strategy, contest key native seats together and bolster GRS’ appeal in non-Muslim native areas.
Their collaboration was part of a broader effort to ensure political stability and maximise representation under GRS ahead of State polls, with both parties advocating for local rights and unity while negotiating seat arrangements within the coalition.
However, internal tensions over seat negotiations and broader strategic direction led to a significant shift in late 2025 when StarSabah, led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, announced that it would contest the 17th State Election using its own party logo and effectively left the GRS coalition.
This move ended the formal relationship within GRS and disrupted earlier cooperation, prompting some party leaders and analysts to warn of vote splitting among native communities and potential impacts on PBS’ performance.
Although several StarSabah assemblymen chose to remain with GRS despite the party’s official departure, the breakup underscored the challenges of maintaining unity among Sabah’s local parties amid competing electoral interests on the eve of the state election.
Meanwhile, Dr Joachim said that PBS, now in its 41st year since its establishment in 1985, has gone through various challenges and trials but remains relevant in Sabah’s political landscape.
“Throughout that period we have faced many challenges and tests, yet today we still stand firm as a party that continues to be relevant in Sabah’s political landscape,” he said.
Dr Joachim said the party’s struggle is far from over and that PBS must continue strengthening its support base by engaging the grassroots.
According to him, the public today is increasingly discerning in assessing political leadership, and party leaders must continue working for the people to ensure support for PBS remains strong.
He also said PBS is expected to hold party elections this year involving leadership at all levels.
He explained that the process will begin at the branch level before moving to the divisional level and eventually to the party’s top leadership.
“I understand that at the branch level, the election process has already begun, while divisional elections will start in the near future.
“Divisions that are ready can begin the process now until June, while the annual delegates conference is expected to be held in September,” he said.
He therefore urged party members to choose leaders who are truly capable of taking PBS forward.
Dr Joachim said competition in party elections should be seen as competition within a family and conducted in a healthy manner.
“What is most important is that those offering themselves to lead, whether at branch, division or central level, must have the intention of strengthening and consolidating the party that we cherish,” he said.
At the same time, he reminded each division to ensure that party membership numbers meet the requirements set out in the party constitution.
He said divisions that fail to meet the membership requirement may not be granted delegate status, although they may still attend as observers.
“This matter must be taken seriously because if complaints are made to the Registrar of Societies (ROS), it could create problems for the party,” he said.
Dr Joachim also stressed that PBS will continue focusing on key issues concerning Sabah’s interests.
“We continue to emphasise important matters such as the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), infrastructure development, social welfare and various other issues affecting the people of Sabah.
“We are not asking for anything outside the framework of the Federation, but rather what is rightfully ours for Sabah’s development,” he said.
He also noted that the State Government under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has brought many positive changes in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya direction.
“If at one time PBS was formed because of perceived injustices against earlier leaders, particularly on matters related to religion and race, today we are grateful that the situation has changed significantly.
“Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, we no longer feel marginalised,” he said.
Dr Joachim said it is important to convey to the people that the current state government is working to bring development and progress to Sabah.
He also called on party members to continue strengthening unity to ensure PBS remains strong in facing future political challenges.
“Let us continue to strengthen unity within the party and carry on the struggle for the future of the people and the state of Sabah that we love,” he said.
Also present were PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili; Deputy Presidents Datuk Seri Dr Yee Moh Chai and Datuk Jahid Jahim; Secretary-General Datuk
Julita Majungki; Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai; Women’s Chief Datin Seri Malianah Ugau; Youth Chief Datuk Christopher Mandut; and other leaders.
What PBS young leaders must know
PARTI Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Secretary-General Datuk Julita Majungki has urged party members to continue maintaining unity and stability within the party as PBS prepares for leadership elections and future electoral challenges.
She reminded members that everyone bears a collective responsibility to preserve the spirit of brotherhood that has been the backbone of PBS’s strength since its inception.
According to Julita, this year is a significant period for the party as leadership elections will take place at the division level across the State.
“As we undergo the process of renewing the party leadership, we must always remember our greater responsibility, which is to preserve the party bequeathed to us by previous leaders,” she said.
She stressed that stability and unity within the party are vital to ensuring PBS remains robust and ready to face future political challenges.
At the same time, Julita encouraged younger members to step forward and take on leadership roles within the party, starting from the branch and division levels before moving up to higher positions.
However, she cautioned that young leaders must understand and internalise the values and principles that form the foundation of the PBS struggle.
According to her, these principles were shaped by the party’s early leaders, including founder Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, which continue to guide the party’s direction today.
“As young leaders aspiring to lead, it is essential for us to understand the party’s DNA as established by our predecessors,” she said.
She added that party members must remain united and ready to defend the PBS cause, as well as the interests of Sabah and its people, especially as the political landscape continues to evolve.
