KOTA KINABALU – With the opening of its secretariat in Putatan here, Sabah Star has signalled its interest in the Muslim-majority federal seat come the 15th general election.
It is an early opportunity for the party to expand its influence in the west coast district, and marks a departure from its comfort zone since winning the state election in September with its Gabungan Rakyat Sabah partners, namely Sabah Umno, Sabah Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and PAS, and ally Parti Bersatu Sabah.
Sabah Star has a strong support base in the state’s interior, namely Keningau, and among non-Muslim Bumiputeras.
President Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan made no secret of the party’s plan to claim a west coast seat.
“We don’t know when the election will be, but we will try to win this seat for Perikatan Nasional.
“Whoever the candidate is, we hope he or she will come from Sabah Star,” he said after the secretariat’s opening.
GE15 is expected in 2022, but there has been talk of early polls.
More than 60% of Putatan’s 42,000 voters are Muslims, Chinese (15%) and non-Muslim Bumiputeras (14%).
The seat was once held by the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation, which also relies on non-Muslim Bumiputera support, before it fell to the state PKR, which fielded Awang Husaini Sahari, in GE14 two years ago.
Jeffrey, who is also deputy chief minister, brushed aside the notion that Sabah Star will rely on racial rhetoric to capture Putatan.
The party constitution does not list race and religion as core struggles, he said, adding that Sabah Star is open to all ethnicities.
“If we look at things this way (race and religion), then we are practising outdated ideals. Now, we should be promoting Sabah and Malaysia.” – The Vibes, December 26, 2020
