KENINGAU, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) will launch its Project 1PBS 2010 soon in a move to double its membership within a year.

PBS deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the initiative was in response to Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak's call for the component parties to enhance their internal cohesiveness and widen their grassroot support.

"The ultimate goal is to assist in rebranding Barisan Nasional and strengthening the coalition's grassroot support and influence in Sabah," he said when jointly opening the annual general meetings of the Sook and Nabawan PBS divisions, here, Friday.

About 500 delegates attended the opening ceremony, including party secretary-general Datuk Radin Malleh, vice-president Datuk Michael Asang and other PBS supreme council members and assemblymen.

Ongkili said party president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan would roll out the project before the PBS Congress on Nov 7.

He said the project, among others, aimed at doubling PBS' current membership from 90,000 to 180,000 to mark the party's 25th anniversary next year.

PBS has 60 divisions in the state, including Labuan, with each having between 1,000 and 6,000 members.