The United Sabah Party ( ms, Parti Bersatu Sabah, abbreviated PBS) is a

political party A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific ideological or p ...

Sabah Sabah () is a state of Malaysia located in northern Borneo, in the region of East Malaysia. Sabah borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest and the North Kalimantan province of Indonesia to the south. The Federal Territory ...

. The PBS was founded by

Joseph Pairin Kitingan Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan (born 17 August 1940) is a Malaysian politician who served as the 7th Chief Minister of Sabah from April 1985 to March 1994 and Member of Parliament (MP) for Keningau from August 1986 to May ...

in 1985 and it is Sabah's oldest local party. In August 2020, PBS confirmed that they would be using their own logo and flag until Sabah's local coalition is established under

Registrar of Societies A registrar is an official keeper of records made in a register. The term may refer to: Education * Registrar (education), an official in an academic institution who handles student records * Registrar of the University of Oxford, one of the sen ...

(RoS). Since 2020, the PBS acts as an allied partner, providing

confidence and supply In a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster system, confidence and supply are required for a ruling cabinet to retain power in the lower house. A confidence-and-supply agreement is one whereby a party or independent members of par ...

to the ruling federal

Perikatan Nasional The National Alliance ( ms, Perikatan Nasional; abbrev: PN) is a political coalition composed of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (GERAKAN). This coalition was ...

(PN) coalition. It also plays a role as a major component of the Sabah-based

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (abbrev:GRS; en, Sabah People's Alliance), also officially known as the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Party or for shorts GRS Party is an official registered political coalition and the current ruling coalition in Sabah. Hajiji ...

(GRS) state governing alliance.

History

PBS was registered as a political party on 5 March 1985. Its founding President is

who had broken away from the ruling Parti Bersatu Rakyat Jelata Sabah (BERJAYA) because of his differences with the

Chief Minister of Sabah The Ketua Menteri Sabah or Chief Minister of Sabah is the head of government of the Malaysian state of Sabah. Since September 2020, the position has been held by Hajiji Noor from the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), Perikatan Na ...

and party president, Harris Salleh in whose state cabinet Pairin served before the break-up. BERJAYA itself had ousted the previous state government of

United Sabah National Organisation The United Sabah National Organisation ( ms, Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Sabah Bersatu; abbrev: USNO) was a political party in North Borneo and later Sabah, Malaysia. The widely known Sabah's Muslim indigenous especially Suluk- Bajau ethnic based ...

(USNO) to govern Sabah for 8 years from 1976 to 1985. PBS later formed the state government after winning the May 1985 state elections. Following the

1986 Sabah riots The 1986 Sabah riots, also known as The Silent Riot, occurred between March and May in various locations around the state of Sabah, Malaysia. The riots centred mainly in the capital Kota Kinabalu, as well as in the towns of Tawau and Sandakan. O ...

after winning the 1986 state election, PBS joined the

Barisan Nasional The National Front ( ms, Barisan Nasional; abbrev: BN) is a political coalition of Malaysia that was founded in 1973 as a coalition of centre-right and right-wing political parties. It is also the third largest political coalition with 30 ...

(BN) coalition and governed Sabah from 1985 to 1994. However, on the eve of the July 1990 state elections, PBS pulled out of the BN to join the

Gagasan Rakyat The Gagasan Rakyat (GR or ''People's Might'') was an opposition Malaysian political coalition. The now defunct political coalition was founded by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's formation of Parti Melayu Semangat 46 (S46 or Semangat 46) after leaving ...

(GR) coalition and won the state election for a third time. It also won the 1994 state elections by a narrow margin. However, numerous defections occurred as many PBS representatives switched allegiance to the then opposition BN coalition before PBS was even able to form a new state government. PBS subsequently rejoined the BN coalition in 2002, ending any form of opposition as BN fully occupied the state legislature and returning Sabah to the rule of the BN coalition that also holds the federal parliament. Following the fall of both federal and state BN governments in the 2018 general election (GE14), PBS left the coalition and formed a new Sabah-based informal coalition of parties known as the

United Alliance (Sabah) The United Alliance of Sabah ( ms, Gabungan Bersatu Sabah; abbreviated: GBS) is a political coalition bringing together Sabah-based opposition parties in Malaysia established by Joseph Pairin Kitingan following the fall of the Barisan Nasiona ...

or ''Gabungan Bersatu (Sabah)'' and also the succeeding

United Sabah Alliance The United Sabah Alliance ( ms, Gabungan Sabah Bersatu ; abbreviated: USA) was a political coalition bringing together Sabah-based parties in Malaysia. It was jointly founded by the Sabah Progressive Party and Homeland Solidarity Party after ...

or ''Gabungan Sabah Bersatu''. During the

2020–21 Malaysian political crisis The dash is a punctuation mark consisting of a long horizontal line. It is similar in appearance to the hyphen but is longer and sometimes higher from the baseline. The most common versions are the endash , generally longer than the hyphen b ...

later, PBS has become allied partner providing

to the new ruling federal government

(PN) coalition set-up by prime minister

Muhyiddin Yassin Tan Sri Dato' Haji Mahiaddin bin Md Yasin (born 15 May 1947), commonly known as Muhyiddin bin Muhammad Yassin ( ms, محيي الدين بن محمد ياسين, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; ), is a Malaysian politician who serv ...

. On 12 September 2020, PBS joined the (also Muhyiddin formed)

(GRS) or Sabah People's Alliance just before the 2020 Sabah state election which was won eventually by the GRS to form the state government. As a result, PBS has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of both the PN and GRS pacts separately. However, PBS expressed that they will stick to their own logo and flag until the actual local coalition is established under the RoS in the next and subsequent elections.

Ideology and support base

Although it is mainly seen as an ethnically-based

Kadazan-Dusun Kadazan-Dusun (also written as Kadazandusun or Mamasok Kadazan-Dusun) also less-known as "Mamasok Sabah" are two indigenous peoples of Sabah, Malaysia—the ethnic groups Kadazan and Dusun. The Kadazandusun is the largest native group of Bu ...

political party, PBS calls itself a "Malaysian multi-racial political party". Members are mostly of

(from both the Dusunic plus Paitanic ethnolinguistic groups) and

Murut Murut may refer to: * Murut people, an ethnic group of the northern inland regions of Borneo * Murutic languages The Murutic languages are a family of half a dozen closely related Austronesian languages, spoken in the northern inland regions o ...

(including the

Lundayeh Lun Bawang or is the language spoken by the Lun Bawangs. It belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian family. is an alternate name in East Kalimantan. History Lun Bawang is mainly an oral language. There is very little printed written material in thi ...

subgroup) ethnic descent, though the second and third largest ethnic membership are mostly

Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...

Bumiputeras, mostly ethnic local Sabahan based ethnic Malay race (

Bruneian Malays Bruneian MalaysBrunei Malay in its various forms can be identified with a nation, an ethnic group and a region. ( ms, Orang Melayu Brunei, Jawi: ) are a native Malay ethnic group that lives in Brunei, the federal territory of Labuan, the s ...

and

Cocos Malays Cocos Malays are a community that form the predominant group of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, which is now a part of Australia. Today, most of the Cocos Malay can be found in the eastern coast of Sabah, Malaysia, because of diaspora originatin ...

), and also from the Bajau community of peoples (the second-largest ethnic

Bumiputera Bumiputera or Bumiputra, which is a Malay word, comes from the Sanskrit word ''Bhumiputra'' which may be transliterated as "son of earth" or "son of the soil" (Bhūmi; भूमि = earth; putra = son). It has different definitions in Brunei and M ...

in the state including the Iranun subgroup and some Suluk together with the Chinese, alongside those of mixed-race or "Sino-Native" subgroup of the Chinese minority). Its declared political mission is to strive to safeguard Sabah's

autonomy In developmental psychology and moral, political, and bioethical philosophy, autonomy, from , ''autonomos'', from αὐτο- ''auto-'' "self" and νόμος ''nomos'', "law", hence when combined understood to mean "one who gives oneself one' ...

and state rights, promoting democratic principles, economic advancement, human rights and a fair justice system. It also seeks preserving the traditional culture of each race in

and freedom of

religion Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatur ...

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federal constitutional monarchy consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo's East Mal ...

. Among the most vocal issues voiced by the party were the issue of illegal immigrants along with '''ghost voters in

, the issue of the IC Project in

East Malaysia East Malaysia (), or the Borneo States, also known as Malaysian Borneo, is the part of Malaysia on and near the island of Borneo, the world's third-largest island. Near the coast of Sabah is a small archipelago called Labuan. East Malaysia li ...

, unbalanced development and the 20 points of the Malaysian Agreement 1963 for

's entry into

. Since 1994 major defections from PBS, several political parties with similar ideologies have emerged. The closest one is the

STAR Party A star party is a gathering of amateur astronomers the purpose of observing objects and events in the sky. Local star parties may be one-night affairs, but larger events can last a week or longer and attract hundreds or even thousands of partic ...

, founded by Datuk Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan, the younger brother of the former president of PBS, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan. Other similar parties include

Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah The United Sabah People's Party ( ms, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah; abbreviated: PBRS) is a minority political party based in Sabah, Malaysia. Presently PBRS is being led by its founding and first President; Joseph Kurup. PBRS is officially a c ...

Leadership structure

Executive Council * President: **

Maximus Ongkili Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili (born 26 October 1953) is a Malaysian politician who has served as Chairman of the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECOS) since February 2023. He served as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department ...

* Deputy President: ** Joachim Gunsalam ** Yee Moh Chai **

Jahid Jahim Jahid Jahim (born 29 May 1958) is a Malaysian politician who has served as State Minister of Rural Development of Sabah in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state administration under Chief Minister Hajiji Noor since September 2020 and Member of ...

* Vice-Presidents: ** Hendrus Anding ** Johnny Mositun ** Daniel Kinsik **

Ruslan Muharam Ruslan bin Muharam (born 4 November 1963) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the State Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state administration under Chief Minister Hajiji Noor since ...

** Mursid Mohd Said ** Arthur Sen Siong Choo ** Linda Tsen Thau Lin ** Peter Mak * Women's Wing Chief: ** Malianah Ugau * Youth Wing Chief: ** Christopher Mandut * Secretary-General: **

Julita Majungki Datuk Julita Majungki is a Malaysian politician who has served as the State Assistant Minister of Finance in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state administration under Chief Minister and Minister Hajiji Noor as well as Masidi Manjun since O ...

* Deputy Secretary-General: ** Jonnybone J Kurum * Treasurer-General: ** Lu Kim Yen * Deputy Treasurer-General: ** Loh Su Fui * Information Chief: **

Joniston Bangkuai Joniston Bangkuai (born 17 April 1961) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state administration under Chief Minister Hajiji ...

* Deputy Information Chief: ** Bonaventure Boniface * Supreme Council Members: ** Peter Jino Allion ** Samuil Mopun ** Fredolin Totin Bangon ** Stanis Buandi ** Suman Yasambun ** William Majimbun ** Masum Bin Takin ** John Chryso Masabal ** Joseph @ Bernard Dalinting ** Muji Bin Ampau ** Hajjah Fazidah Mohd Yassin ** Kasirin Bin Kamiran ** Juin Saman ** Azmi Haji Ahmad ** Omar Hakim ** Zamil Ismail ** Johnny Goh ** Kong Nyuk Thou ** Lim Vun Chan ** Fredian Gan ** Ng Tze Tsai ** Goon Thien Shang ** Joseph Lee * Divisional Chairpersons ** N02 Bengkoka: Dr. Samuil Mopun ** N03 Pitas: Awang Okik ** N04 Tanjong Kapor: Martin Majamil ** N05 Matunggong: Julita Mojungki ** N06 Bandau:

** N07 Tandek: Hendrus Anding ** N08 Sulaman: Muji Ampau ** N09 Tempasuk: James Baga ** N10 Usukan: Lamdin Kuyad ** N11 Kadamaian: Demis Rumanti ** N12 Sulaman: Juin Saman ** N13 Pantai Dalit: Lizuan Sarabun ** N14 Tamparuli:

** N15 Kiulu:

** N16 Karambunai: Johnny Goh ** N18 Inanam: Fredoline Totin Bangon ** N19 Likas: Joseph Lee Han Khyun ** N20 Api-Api: Yee Moh Chai ** N21 Luyang: Goon Thien Shang ** N22 Tanjung Aru: Louis Lai Vui Leong ** N23 Petagas: Azmi Hj. Ahmad ** N24 Tanjung Keramat: Tahir Hj. Mohd Soon ** N25 Kapayan: Augustin Anthony ** N26 Moyog: John Chryso Masabal ** N27 Limbahau: Johnny Juani Mositun ** N30 Bongawan: Jitim Abak ** N31 Membakut: Egol Onsim ** N32 Klias: Hamin Gundim ** N33 Kuala Penyu: Sebastian Dirih Anjim ** N34 Lumadan:

** N35 Sindumin: Angian Alai ** N36 Kundasang: Joachim Gunsalam ** N37 Karanaan: Datuk Joseph Bernard Dalinting ** N38 Paginatan: Arthur Sen ** N39 Tambunan: Daniel Isidore Stanislaus Kinsik ** N40 Bingkor: Peter Jino Allion ** N41 Liawan: Zachary Robert Stanislaus Kinsik ** N42 Melalap: Martin Johanis ** N43 Kemabong: Raimun Tindil ** N44 Tulid: Suman Yasambun ** N45 Sook: Abraham Akimau ** N46 Nabawan: Likin Simin ** N47 Telupid: Johnnybone Kurum ** N48 Sugut: Jubilee KK Zen ** N49 Labuk: Zamil Ismail ** N50 Gum Gum: Matilda Sapot ** N51 Sungai Manila: Sariah Duling ** N52 Sungai Sibuga: Kasirin Kamiran ** N54 Karamunting: Kong Nyuk Thau ** N55 Elopura: Linda Tsen Thau Lin ** N56 Tanjong Papat: Ong Chih Qun ** N57 Kuamat: Masum Takin ** N60 Tungku: Ayuh Pandasan ** N62 Silam: Haji Mursid Mohd Rais ** N63 Kunak: Hatta Mulok ** N64 Sulabayan: Alibun Gimboh ** N65 Senallang: Omar Hakim ** N66 Bugaya: Hjh Fazidah Hj Mohd Yassin ** N67 Balung: Zakaria Hj Guntik ** N68 Apas: Chong Soo Yin @ Mohd Irwan Chong Abdullah ** N69 Sri Tanjung: Lo Su Fui ** N71 Tanjong Batu: Samson Gapid ** N72 Merotai: A Hasin Nawa ** N73 Sebatik: Sahrol Mahoolop ** P166 Labuan: Peter Mak Chun Vun

Elected representatives

Dewan Negara (Senate)

Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)

Members of Parliament of the 15th Malaysian Parliament

PBS has currently only 1 MP in the

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...

Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly)

Malaysian State Assembly Representatives

Sabah State Legislative Assembly

PBS state governments

Election results

State election results (West Malaysia)

References

Notes

* James Chin. (1994) "Sabah State Election of 1994: End of Kadazan Unity,

Asian Survey ''Asian Survey: A Bimonthly Review of Contemporary Asian Affairs'' is a bimonthly academic journal of Asian studies published by the University of California Press on behalf of the Institute of East Asian Studies at the University of California, ...

, Vol. 34, No. 10, pp. 904–915.

External links

* {{Authority control Political parties in Sabah 1985 establishments in Malaysia Political parties established in 1985