PENAMPANG; PBS and STAR have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their political cooperation.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the PBS Chief Advisor, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, at Hongkod Koisaan, KDCA Penampang, earlier on Thursday.
The MoU was signed by PBS Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam and STAR President Datuk Seri Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan.
Jeffrey stated that the MoU represents a shared aspiration between the two parties.
“This MoU is an agreement to work together with the awareness that our aspirations are the same, that our goals and struggles are aligned. With this awareness, we understand that in order to achieve the aspirations of our people and our objectives, we have no choice but to cooperate, unite, and show solidarity. We have learned from history that when we are divided, not only do we lose, but our party, leaders, and people suffer as a result of misunderstandings or conflicts among us,” he said during a press conference after the MoU ceremony.
Jeffrey also mentioned that the agreement includes the establishment of a Joint Leadership Council as a mechanism for policy-making and final decision-making.
“We have also agreed to collaborate in managing, providing training to our members and machinery, as well as cooperating in terms of media and information dissemination. We have also agreed to establish a special committee to identify the areas we should contest, and to resolve all issues so that we are aligned in the management of our struggle and party management. That is the outcome,” Jeffrey explained.
Meanwhile, Joachim emphasized that the cooperation sealed through this agreement is aimed at strengthening the party and further enhancing their relationship.