Its deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, said the early consensus with Umno to formalise the state alliance comprising PBS, Umno and Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR) did not seem to be materialising as Umno had yet to give a final decision.
“I was told the Sabah Umno leadership is still keeping in view (KIV joining the bloc) as it needs to get permission from Umno central liaison, unless they (elected MPs and assemblymen) resign from Umno, only then they can join the alliance.
“But we were told they are seeking for autonomy, of which is very unclear and what do they mean by autonomy and to what extent of autonomy.
“Nonetheless, our party especially feedback from the grassroots, as long as Umno is with us, the alliance will not go far,” he said to reporters after officiating the PBS Labuan annual general meeting here yesterday.
The former federal minister said the alliance would not be similar to other alliances that required legal registration but rather a consensus alliance agreed upon by its members.
Maximus said the main agenda of the platform struggle, especially in parliament would be on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and devolution of power.
“Despite Umno’s uncertain stand in the alliance, we will be working together for the people and the state, especially in the parliament,” he said.
He also did not rule out the possibility of former Umno-Kimanis MP and former Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman joining the alliance amid recent news report claiming the latter was said to be considering the Pakatan Harapan parties as his new political platform to voice out Sabah’s rights.
“I met him two days ago, we gave him support and offered him to join us in the Sabah and Sarawak bloc, and I was optimistic, with Anifah joining the alliance, the bloc will grow, but he will make a public announcement soon.
“From my discussion with Anifah, he is more interested in joining a Sabah-based party,” he said.
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