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Articles by STEPHANIE LEE

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Sabah STAR questions validity of MOU with PBS after Tambunan stance
Politics

Sabah STAR questions validity of MOU with PBS after Tambunan stance

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah STAR wants to know if its 2024 memorandum of understanding with Parti Bersatu Sabah remains valid. The query follows PBS’ open support for a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah candidate in Tambunan despite the MOU implying mutual support. Sabah STAR left the GRS coalition with SAPP to contest the state polls independently. “However, with our initial MOU to work together, we thought they would honour it despite us leaving GRS,” said Datuk Edward Linggu. He is Sabah STAR’s secretary general. Edward asked whether PBS’ open support for GRS Tambunan candidate Victor Paut means PBS ended the MOU unilaterally, and said that PBS did not field a candidate in Tambunan, held by Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. He said they believed this showed PBS respected and still honoured the MOU. Edward said Sabah STAR did not contest Kundasang and Matunggong, which are held by PBS leaders. “With them not contesting, our strategy director openly backed PBS Matunggong because of the MOU,” he said. He said they believed PBS returned the favour by not contesting Tambunan. PBS’ support for GRS Tambunan has caused confusion among Sabah STAR and PBS voters. “They want to know if PBS is still interested in the MOU or has cancelled it,” said Edward. When Sabah STAR left GRS with SAPP, PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai sought a meeting on the MOU. He said the agreement remained in effect until both parties agreed to suspend or dissolve it. He added the MOU aimed to strengthen GRS, but Sabah STAR never responded.