Kitingan revives talk of STAR merger with PBS

 

STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan said the idea of a merger had been floated since the previous state elections in 2020. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Jeffrey Kitingan has revived the idea of a merger with Parti Bersatu Sabah, saying it was one way to strengthen the two Kadazandusun Murut-based parties.

Kitingan said that the idea of a merger had been floated since the previous state elections in 2020.

“In fact the leaders of the two parties have discussed the possibility but we have yet to realise it. The idea of joining forces has cropped up again and for me, it is the best step forward for the two parties,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.

Kitingan, who is also the Sabah deputy chief minister, said this when asked to comment on rumours that the two parties would be forming an alliance for the next state elections, due in 2025.

STAR has six representatives in the state assembly, while PBS has seven. The two parties are coalition partners in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah which forms the government.

Kitingan admitted there are several challenges that must be overcome before a merger could take place, including the name and logo of the merged party and who should head it.

“But I believe we can overcome these issues,” he said.

In 2021, the two parties were at odds after PBS said it was open to a collaboration with opposition Warisan.

STAR also criticised PBS president Maximus Ongkili for his criticism of Kitingan for proposing a new Federal Constitution to resolve the status of Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysian federation. - FMT