Ongkili, in clarifying his remarks that he was willing to work with any opposition party for the good of Sabahans, today reassured chief minister Hajiji Noor of his party’s loyalty to the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government.
Speculation of a tie-up between PBS and Warisan went into overdrive following Ongkili’s earlier remarks.
However, Ongkili, who is the Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister, said his statement had been misinterpreted.
He said he was surprised certain quarters had purposely tried to create confusion among the people.
“My actual intention was to express the party’s openness to have the opposition, especially Warisan, to cooperate with the state and federal governments to achieve our common development goals for the good of Sabah and Sabahans,” he said in a statement.
“So it is my pleasure, as the PBS president, to extend an invitation to Warisan to consider taking part in Perikatan Nasional (PN), either as member or partner.
“We (PBS) are happy to become a host or sponsor to Warisan to be part of the PN coalition. Come work with us under PN.
“I did not say more than to express the openness to cooperation. After all, it was Warisan which extended the hand of friendship and cooperation in the first place, and their president, Shafie Apdal, did it during Ramadan, a season to make friends.
“So it is only proper for us to respond and show a similar gesture for the sake of friendship.”
Ongkili, the Kota Marudu MP, gave his assurance of PBS’ commitment to GRS and Hajiji, who is the GRS chairman, during a two-hour Hari Raya courtesy call at the latter’s office yesterday.
He was accompanied by the three PBS deputy presidents, namely Radin Malleh, Jahid Jahim and Yee Moh Chai, as well as vice-president Dr Joachim Gunsalam and secretary-general Joniston Bangkuai.
Asked at an online press conference last week if his party was open to working with Umno, Shafie instead declared that he would prefer to work with PBS.
After Shafie’s remarks, Ongkili responded by saying the party was willing to work with any opposition party for the good of Sabahans, but stopped short of addressing the issue of an exclusive political tie-up with Warisan.
Ongkili said PBS took note of Shafie’s political gesture to work together for the sake of the people, but insisted his party was “comfortable” working with Bersatu, through GRS and PN.
Further elaborating on his remarks, Ongkili said it was only through cooperation, political friendship and support that Sabah can be fully developed.
“It does not necessarily mean that we have to form a coalition or alliance. PBS’ intention is to extend friendship and cooperation with Warisan at the PN level,” he said.
Besides, he said, it was difficult for PBS and Warisan to form a new alliance or any idea of coalition because they had different identities and political roles.
He added that PBS had always been known to have championed issues on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), people’s security, and the presence of undocumented immigrants. These had been part of the party’s identity since its formation 36 years ago.
“Together, we can cooperate to spread noble goals and strengthen the wider objectives of PN. I am confident that Warisan can contribute to the achievement of its national aspirations,” said Ongkili.
He said as the backbone of the Sabah government, there was no reason for PBS to waver in its support of GRS.