Cold war between STAR, PBS continues

 By Olivia Miwil - May 13, 2021 @ 5:35pm

PBS versus STAR/NSTP

KOTA KINABALU: The cold war between Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) does not look like it will abate anytime soon as a war of word continued between the two Sabah political ally.

This was after STAR in the latest tit-for-tat remarks said it will attract more support following the newfound hostility by PBS against it.

This comes in the heel of PBS' recent attack against STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on not to stir sentiments for the sake of political mileage.

This was after the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister called for a new agreement to resolve the status of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.

PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is also the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) had, in turn, responded to Kitingan's call by saying that it is better to study the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and mend any weakness in it.

"How ironic that by attacking us, Ongkili is making the people realise the great value in the far-reaching and visionary stance of Jeffrey who wants to do away with Malayan parties, and to call for a new draft of the Malaysia Agreement.

"How unwise of PBS to want to take the opposite direction! This new turn is putting the final nail on the coffin of PBS' original struggle of 1985," said STAR secretary-general Guandee Kohoi in a statement.

He said following Ongkili's remarks it also appeared that the cooperation between PBS and STAR has been thrown into the winds.

PBS had announced yesterday that they were willing to work with opposition Parti Warisan Sabah for the good of Sabahans.

"By doing so, he is sacrificing whatever unity there is left in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (made up of STAR, PBS, PPBM, BN and SAPP).

"This intention is confirmed in his willingness to work with Parti Warisan Sabah, which in turn is toying with the idea of working with Umno.

"So is it any wonder that PBS had violated the gentlemen's agreement not to clash with STAR in any constituency in the last state general election?" asked Guandee, who is also the deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture minister.