Kitingan, who is also a deputy chief minister, said accepting the newly registered Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM) could further strengthen GRS.

“I have no problem with it as long as they subscribe to the cause the government is championing and for unity,” Kitingan, who is also the STAR president, told FMT.

He said this would also provide a platform for political unity, especially among Sabah’s Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) parties, which were widely regarded as being divided.

Kitingan said one should not “underestimate little groups” and that it was better to rein them in instead of leaving them outside GRS.

“If we want to move like Sarawak and unite, this is one of the ways. Let’s look at the brighter and positive side of this,” he said.

He hoped that by becoming part of the coalition, PKDM could “merge and unite” with the other components.

Kitingan’s stand runs counter to that of PBS secretary-general and fellow GRS leader Joniston Bangkuai, who is not keen on PKDM joining the coalition, citing unproven loyalty of new parties and the fact that Anthony was previously an opponent.

Anthony and Limbahau assemblymen Juil Nuatim quit Warisan on Dec 27, claiming that their former party had “strayed from its true path”.

In announcing PKDM’s registration on Monday, Anthony said it was time for political parties in Sabah to work together so that “our government will be strong, just like Sarawak’s”.

Kitingan said it was understandable that there were those who would be suspicious of Anthony’s motives for joining GRS as he was once regarded as a right-hand man of Warisan president Shafie Apdal.

Meanwhile, SAPP president Yong Teck Lee told FMT the issue of PKDM joining GRS had not been brought up for discussion yet.

GRS comprises Sabah Perikatan Nasional (Bersatu, STAR, SAPP, PAS and Gerakan), Barisan Nasional (Umno, PBRS, MIC and MCA) and PBS.