KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) wants Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to continue working hard in tandem with other component members in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
The Chief Minister said as a key partner in GRS, PBS could further strengthen the coalition as a preferred choice for Sabahans.
Hajiji also said he appreciated PBS' key role in solidifying the ruling state coalition
He said this during a meeting with the PBS leadership at the Chief Minister's Seri Gaya official residence here on Tuesday (July 25).
This comes amid recent talk of a PBS-Sabah STAR merger.
Leading the PBS entourage to meet the GRS chairman was party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also Deputy Chief Minister and state Local Housing and Government Minister.
Also present were the two other party deputy presidents - Datuk Jahid Jahim and Datuk Seri Dr Yee Moh Chai, secretary-general Datuk Julita Majungki, treasurer-general Datuk Lu Kim Yen, vice presidents Datuk Ruslan Muharam and Hendrus Anding, assistant secretary-general Jonnybone Kurum and assistant treasurer-general Lo Su Fui.
PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said during the meeting, PBS, as one of the key components of GRS, pledged to work closely with other component parties to solidify the coalition.
Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had earlier this month talked about a potential merger with PBS, saying it would be mutually beneficial for both parties.
Kitingan, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said talks of a merger to strengthen the two multi-racial parties with strong Kadazandusun Murut backing had taken place before the last Sabah polls in 2020.
"The intention (to merge) has been there for a long time but it did not materialise," he told reporters after launching Sabah STAR's national convention and seventh anniversary in Penampang near here on July 1.
"We (Sabah STAR) want to make it happen before the next state election so it would be easier to prepare for it together.
"There have been positive vibes and reactions, and talks within both parties so, my hope is that it will become a reality," said Kitingan.
Gunsalam said, however, PBS was not rushing into any merger talks with Sabah STAR, saying they were instead prepared to continue working with Kitingan's party under the GRS coalition.
