KOTA KINABALU, Oct 22 — Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Sabah (Star Sabah) President Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said he is in talks with other Sabah-based opposition parties on forming a Gerakan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) opposition bloc before Nomination Day on Nov. 15.
He claimed discussions began early this month to formalise the alliance. The Sabah state election is scheduled for Nov. 29.
“I have engaged with leaders from various parties, including Anak Negeri, Perpaduan, PKDM and even some Sarawak-based groups,” he said.
Jeffrey said GBS would be a coalition representing the Kadazan-Dusun-Murut communities, with Star and SAPP as its core constituents.
The bloc intends to contest all 73 state seats, presenting itself as a local alternative to GRS-Pakatan, BN-Pakatan and Warisan.
“The coalition’s primary objective is to reinstate robust state leadership, particularly in light of the High Court’s recent decision affirming Sabah’s constitutional entitlement to 40pc of federal revenue. Should the federal government choose not to appeal, Sabah will require a Chief Minister capable of strong negotiation.”
Jeffrey expressed openness to collaborating with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) should it decide to exit GRS. He also noted that founding president of PBS and Huguan Siou, his brother Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, hoped for Star and PBS to “move together.”
Jeffrey exited Gabungan Rakyat Sabah around the same time as a video surfaced of whistleblower Albert Tei claiming he had extended RM1.7 million in bribes to Jeffrey and expressed frustration that Jeffrey did not manage to change the mind of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to reverse his decision to lift the ban on mining.
In the video Tei was allegedly heard saying he had spent millions seeking several other assemblymen for similar help regarding the mining applications of many companies and that his financiers were getting impatient.
Meanwhile, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM) ruled out the possibility of joining any political alliance, including the proposed Gerakan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) bloc.
KDM Deputy President Datuk Wetrom Bahanda denied claims he had talks with Jeffrey on the matter.
“It’s not true that KDM will join GBS. I have never discussed this matter with anyone, including Jeffrey,” he said.
Wetrom reiterated that KDM would contest the coming State Election on its own, in line with the wishes of its grassroots supporters.
“This decision reflects the sentiment of our grassroots who want KDM to go solo. It would be impossible for us to go against their wishes. I stress once again that KDM, as a local party, will stand independently in the upcoming election,” he said. — Daily Express
