The Sabah STAR president said talks of a merger to strengthen the two multi-racial parties with strong Kadazandusun Murut backing had taken place before the last Sabah polls in 2020.
"But now the idea has come up again. The situation has demanded it is best for us to talk to each other and find a way how to become one. "There have been positive vibes and reactions, and talks within both parties so, my hope is that it will become a reality," added Kitingan, who is also Deputy Chief Minister I.
PBS, which was founded by former chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in 1985, is the oldest party in Sabah.Asked further how PBS was taking the possible union, Kitingan reiterated that Sabah STAR had been getting positive feedback based on the informal talks between leaders from both sides."And he was very happy. We were ready to issue a statement but Pairin was not the president at the time," he said. .