KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) should not rush into forging new alliances – including with Datuk Peter Anthony’s new party, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (pic).

       The Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary-general said GRS should focus on fortifying existing ties between founding partners before accepting new parties into its fold.

       He said GRS was being formalised following the success of its founding parties in winning the 16th state election.

       As such, the coalition should preserve its initial members as they have proven to be true partners, he said.

       The parties are Sabah Barisan Nasional (Sabah Umno, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah PBRS, MCA and MIC); Sabah Perikatan (Bersatu Sabah, Sabah STAR, Sabah Progressive Party SAPP, Sabah PAS, and Gerakan) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

       “While we welcome support from all Sabahans, we must not rush to form new alliances with parties whose loyalty and true partnership have yet to be proven,” said Bangkuai, who was speaking on behalf of the PBS political bureau.

       The GRS information chief was commenting on Anthony’s announcement that his newly registered Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) would apply to join the Sabah-based political coalition.

       Bangkuai, who is Kiulu assemblyman, said that new parties intending to join GRS must demonstrate their political aspirations, motivations and genuine long-term contributions to GRS.

       “Any decision to accept new parties, including those who have declared to be GRS-friendly, into the coalition must get consensus from all existing partners,” he said.

       “After all, the people helming these parties (intending to join GRS) were our political opponents just over a year ago,” he said.

       Bangkuai said the priority should be to safeguard the original partners while also further strengthening GRS’ internal unity.

       “What we want to see is a coalition built based on trust with the interests of the people and the future of the state at heart,” he said.

       He said that PBS trusts in the wisdom of GRS chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in ensuring harmony among all the original GRS founders.