Jeffrey: STAR is as legal as Umno Sabah

The furore over STAR, the newest entry into Sabah politics, indicates some quarters are worried about the advances made by STAR Sabah, claims party chairman Jeffrey Kitingan

KOTA KINABALU: A surprised Jeffrey Kitingan has slammed critics who have accused the State Reform Party (STAR), Sabah chapter, of being an illegal entity.

Jeffrey, who is its Sabah chapter chairman, said as a registered party, STAR could operate anywhere in Malaysia as its constitution allowed for the creation of branches.

“It is a Malaysian-registered party which can operate throughout the country. There is absolutely no provision in its constitution which says it can operate only within Sarawak,” he said when replying to calls by certain parties to verify STAR Sabah’s authenticity with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

ROS’ negative reply – that it was not registered in Sabah – had sparked claims of deception by Jeffrey.

He said the registration of STAR Sabah was a “non-issue” and likened the party’s status to that of Umno Sabah.

“This is a non-issue. Someone asked if STAR Sabah is registered and the ROS confirmed (it is not registered in the state).

“But it is just like asking ROS if Umno Sabah is registered (in Sabah)? I believe they will answer in the negative.

“But does that make Umno Sabah illegal? I don’t think so.

“For that matter, is PKR Sabah, or DAP Sabah or PAS Sabah or Gerakan Sabah registered (in the state)?” he asked.

‘Certain groups worried’
Jeffrey STAR has been in Sabah since the 1999 general election when it contested in two constituencies.

“The fact that STAR had two candidates contesting in Kudat and Marudu in the parliamentary general election in 1999 confirms that STAR can expand to Sabah, or any part of Malaysia.

“With all these questions about STAR’s status, it is clear that certain groups are worried about the advances made by STAR in such a short time,” he said.

At its launch last week, STAR Sabah chapter announced that it had received 60,000 applications for membership in a drive that began on Dec 16 last year.

The sheer numbers and the 4,000-strong crowd who turned up to witness the launch despite heavy rain was a clear sign that maverick Jeffrey, was still a relevant figure in Sabah politics.