KOTA KINABALU: Talk of Sabah STAR and Parti Bersatu Sabah forming an electoral pact with state opposition Parti Warisan is just propaganda aimed at weakening the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
“In politics, anything can happen, and we (cannot) rule out that possibility. It can happen at the last minute,” the Sabah STAR president said on Wednesday (Oct 9).
However, the GRS deputy chairman hoped such an alliance would not materialise.
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Kitingan added that Sabah STAR and PBS will be flying the GRS banner in the 17th state election, due around October next year.
"For me, whenever we use a logo, we must be absolutely sure.
"How confident am I? I would say 100% for now," he said during the launch of the Sabah STAR N26 Moyog division office in Donggongon, Penampang.
PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam has also denied the rumoured alliance, describing it as unfounded.
A recent report quoted an unnamed PBS supreme council member as saying that the party's leaders were considering an alliance with Warisan owing to GRS' plan to form an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan.
ALSO READ: PBS and Sabah STAR to strengthen collaboration
On a related matter, Kitingan said plans are in the works to increase Sabah STAR’s existing state seats, but details will only be shared with GRS leadership once the party finalises the matter internally.
"We need to discuss it within the party before making any decisions, so I cannot reveal anything at this time," he said.
He also said discussions on seat allocations with PBS are ongoing but yet to be finalised. The two parties have agreed to strengthen collaboration in the interests of Sabah's native non-Muslim communities.
ALSO READ: Sabah polls: Kitingan says too early for state election pact
"We are exploring various options, focusing on areas where we can win.
"There’s no point in winning without substance, so our strategy is to target winnable seats," Kitingan added.
In April, Sabah STAR and PBS forged a political unity that had been elusive for the native communities for the past three decades.
Out of the 73 state constituencies, roughly a third are native non-Muslim seats.
With around 30,000 members across the state, Sabah STAR is largely supported by volunteers.
"Our (financial) sustainability is driven by their belief that we are the ones who can make a difference.
"We cannot depend on others to do it for us. That’s why I try to instil in them (the volunteers) that money isn’t everything," Kitingan said.
He acknowledged that some members may switch allegiance when offered money, but noted that many eventually return to the cause.
"Sometimes they do it temporarily, but in the end, they come back to fight for the struggle," he added.
