STAR will persevere, targets GE14
Sabah State Reform Party (STAR) chief Jeffrey Kitingan believes that although the party failed in GE13, they “have planted the seeds” and will continue with their “political struggle”.
Michael Kaung, FMT
KOTA KINABALU: The State Reform Party (STAR) Sabah which came away with just one seat in last month’s 13th General Election has forced the fledgling party to reconsider its options and strategies and indeed its very survival till the next election.
While all state based or ‘local’ parties suffered wounds in the just concluded election, STAR is the first to make efforts to address the real-politic in the state and country and is hoping to re-organise and strengthen itself in preparation for the 14th general election.
Party chairman Jeffrey Kitingan said the decision was made at the meeting of the central committees and heads of divisions from across the state today.
He said the meeting was called in response to GE-13 post-mortem recommendations following the unexpected election results.
“Despite your hard work and enthusiasm we failed to deliver in this election because our expectations were too high within such a short period of just 15 months. But, considering the obstacles and huge odds, we can stand proud of our efforts” Jeffrey told the meeting.
“Don’t forget that we have just planted the seeds of our struggle in a hostile and competitive environment where other political trees have already grown and taken roots.
“We need to be patient and committed to nurture these seeds so that one day our political struggle will outgrow the others and bear fruits for our people,” he added.
During the May 5 general election, STAR contested in 49 state and 21 parliamentary seats in Sabah but only won one state seat. The seat was delivered by Jeffrey in Bingkor.
Jeffrey, who also challenged his elder brother Joseph Pairin Kitingan for the Keningau parliamentary seat, however lost that contest after the opposition failed to agree on a one-on-one fight against the Barisan Nasional coalition.
It was nevertheless telling that Pairin, who is the president of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and a deputy chief minister, saw his support base become even smaller and even then only with the help of the Umno-led government machinery.
