KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili cleared any doubts on his party's commitment towards the state's ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

       "Once we make an alignment, we are faithful to that alignment," he told reporters as he explained PBS’ views on being open to new political alignment to face the general election.

       Ongkili, who attended the GRS supreme council meeting chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor here on Monday (May 9), told reporters that what was important for all parties was to stick to decisions made on consensus of all members.

       Last week, Ongkili said a new formula and mindset was needed when teaming up with other political parties in the coming general election and this included cooperation with national or peninsula-based parties.

       Ongkili's statement that the party was studying the political situation and would choose partners based on the situation gave rise to questions whether the party was having second thoughts on its GRS membership.

       Hajiji said that Ongkili's presence at the GRS meeting proved that the ruling state coalition was intact.

       PBS, which left Barisan Nasional after GE14, formed the GRS government after the 2020 Sabah elections. The GRS coalition was registered recently.