KOTA KINABALU: The decision of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) to participate in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN) may potentially strain the strong relationship between Sabah and Sarawak.
Vice President of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Datuk Masiung Banah, expressed his concern, stating that PBM’s move could disrupt the harmonious bond that the two states have established through the ‘Borneo Block’ alliance.
Masiung emphasised that the actions of PBM have the potential to impact the positive rapport between the residents and leaders of Sabah and Sarawak.
He clarified that while this perspective is not officially endorsed by Gagasan Rakyat, he personally believes that PBM’s initiative carries a hidden agenda aimed at inciting political tensions among the leaders of the neighbouring states.
PBM, headquartered in Sarawak, has decided to extend its reach to Sabah by fielding candidates in seven constituencies during the upcoming 17th Sabah PRN.
In a recent announcement, PBM President Datuk Larry Sng revealed the party’s interest in contesting in the Kadazan Dusun and Murut regions, specifically in Penampang, Kota Marudu, Ranau, Kota Belud, Tuaran, Putatan, and Pensiangan.
Masiung, who is also the Kuamut assemblyman, pointed out that although PBM may not pose a significant threat to the Sabah Coalition Party (GRS), its actions could jeopardise the existing camaraderie within the Borneo Block.
He highlighted the mutual respect that political parties in both the government and opposition of Sabah and Sarawak have maintained towards each other within the Borneo Bloc, refraining from fielding candidates in the PRN of both states.
Masiung cautioned that PBM’s decision to expand its operations from Sarawak to Sabah might lead to a fracture in the political unity within the Borneo Block.
