Kota Kinabalu: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) plans to contest in Chinese majority seats in the coming election, according to its President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
“Our intention is based on the strong support we receive from the Chinese community. Our party has always been strong in the interior, among the indigenous community. But now, we’re witnessing a growing number of Chinese joining the party.
“In fact, many of them have urged us to contest in their respective constituencies,” said Star Deputy President Datuk Kenny Chua.
He believed local party sentiment and Star’s consistent struggle for Sabah are among the factors that contribute to the party’s growing appeal to the Chinese community.
“Generally, whenever we listen to them, they tell us they want a local party or coalition to govern the state. Certain parties want to dismiss this. But this is the aspiration of the people we must respect.
“Many of them see our party and our president as synonymous with Sabah’s fight for all its rights. This what makes them want to be part of our struggle because it concerns their life and future,” he said.
He said although the state political leadership would have the final say on the seat allocation, the voice and choice of the people in the Chinese-majority constituencies must be considered.
“I believe it should be a bottom-up process. But we will leave it to the top leadership to decide,” Chua added.
When announcing Star’s plan to contest in 16 seats recently, Jeffrey said it would still be subjected to discussions with other parties.
In the 2020 election, Star contested eight seats and won six — the highest success rate among all its components which according to Jeffrey should justify the party’s intention to double the number this time.
Dr Jeffrey claims to have a “win-win” plan among the ruling eight-party Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), with adjustments to include Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional if need be.
He said it would be fair to all GRS components, including those currently without seats.
The seat-sharing plan aims to keep GRS intact while being flexible in addressing the coalition’s relationship with Pakatan and Barisan.
“We were supposed to have a meeting on seat allocation on Feb 23, but I asked Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (GRS chairman and Chief Minister) for a postponement so I can engage with all party presidents.
“There is no use having a meeting if we continue to argue with no conclusion. I have met most of them, and know what’s on their minds and their wants. I am scheduled to meet two more soon.
“But I have a formula that ensures fairness among the eight component parties while allowing non-seat-holding parties to contest,” he said.
Kitingan, who is GRS deputy chairman and Deputy Chief Minister I, noted that most components prefer to keep GRS united, which “simplifies the seat distribution process”.
Apart from Sabah Star, GRS also comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat).
The components without a seat are United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Dr Jeffrey said they still need to address GRS’ ties with Pakatan and Barisan if an electoral pact is to be forged, adding there is a way to collaborate without full political integration.
“We must ensure that cooperation with national parties does not compromise Sabah’s autonomy. The goal is to run our own affairs while working together where necessary.
“Peninsular leaders must understand that Sabahans are not against them. We simply want control over our own destiny. If national parties continue imposing their presence and taking Sabah seats, then the very purpose of forming Malaysia is lost.
“Sabah must not become a political colony again. GRS must remain dominant. So if we contest alone, one strategy applies; if we go with GRS Plus, adjustments will be necessary.
“Politics is unpredictable, but my position remains clear - Sabah must be like Sarawak. ‘Rumah kita, kita jaga’ (We take care of our own house).”
He said it is important for GRS to prioritise the seats of its anchor parties – Gagasan Rakyat, PBS and Sabah STAR – which won 24 out of the 73 state seats in the September 2020 Sabah election.
Gagasan Rakyat was formed in 2023 after Hajiji and its leaders left Bersatu in December 2022 following the formation of the unity government.