Latest news with #SabahSTAR
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Amir Kahar re-enters political arena to fight graft
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Amir Kahar Mustapha (pic), son of Sabah's founding father, Tun Datu Mustapha Harun, is making a political comeback. The five-term Banggi assemblyman (1986–1994) and three-term Marudu MP (1990–2004) submitted his membership application to Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan yesterday. Amir Kahar, 75, was previously with the United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Umno, before contesting as an independent in the 2020 Sabah state election. He lost in the polls and has kept a low profile since. Speaking to reporters, Amir Kahar said he is returning to politics after realising Sabah was under economic threat and plagued by corruption. 'There is corruption here and there, and this is what worries me. 'If not, I just want to enjoy life,' he said. He described this return as his last chance to do some good before the afterlife. Amir Kahar said he spent a year deliberating before deciding to re-enter politics. 'Jeffrey and I are not just friends but family. We fought side by side from 1988 to 1994 and never left each other. 'Those who separated us were people who disliked us. So sincerely, I am going to fight for the people of Sabah,' he added. He said Sabah has the richest resources in the country, yet it remains among the poorest states. Calling on Sabahans to rise up and fight for their rights and the future of their children and grandchildren, he said the youth had not experienced the full spectrum of life in Sabah. 'Those aged 15, 17, 20 or 30 have not lived through the ups and downs. But I have gone through it all. 'May we achieve our objectives, because destiny lies in our hands,' he added.
The Star
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah parties should take the lead in reviving Labuan's handover vision, says Kitingan
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah-based political parties in Labuan must work together with a shared goal to realise the vision for the island when it was handed over to become a Federal Territory in 1984. Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the current situation in Labuan is far from the original expectations. "In fact, Labuan, once a duty-free island, no longer enjoys the same duty-free status as it once did. "This concern is based on fact. Even former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh has acknowledged that his original objective for Labuan's handover has failed," Kitingan said at the launch of the Sabah STAR Labuan division. In 1984, he said, the hope was for Labuan to be developed economically, creating ample job opportunities and increasing income levels for its people with the island becoming a catalyst for development in Sabah and Sarawak. Kitingan said that the changes in Labuan have strayed far from the original 1984 aspirations, as the culture and traditions of some Labuan residents who were once part of Sabah have been alienated. "Today, some Labuan residents feel sidelined in the Federal Territory's administration. They want to be involved in policy-making and implementation," he said. Kitingan, who is Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, said that the concerns were not being raised out of anger or resentment but are simply calls for positive changes that would make Labuan a source of pride for all. He said Sabah STAR established its Labuan division through the cooperation with fellow component parties under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition with the aim for Labuan's politics to one day be led and managed by Sabah-based parties. "This issue has also been raised in Parliament. I myself have repeatedly called for the restoration of Labuan's duty-free status, but unfortunately, our pleas have yet to be heard," he added.
Borneo Post
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Children of late Umno leader join Sabah STAR
Jin receives Shabudin's membership form. KOTA KINABALU (July 26): Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Sabah STAR) Beaufort is experiencing a notable political shift with a surge in new memberships, including several prominent local figures, as momentum builds ahead of the next Sabah state election. Beaufort parliamentary coordinator Jin Tze Vun revealed that among the latest to join the party are Shabudin Mohd Dun and his sister Noraina — the children of the late Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Dun Bin Banir, a respected former Umno leader in the area. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Jin said their decision was not political opportunism but a reflection of their alignment with Sabah STAR's unwavering stance on defending Sabah's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'The entry of these prominent individuals highlights the growing awareness among Sabahans of the importance of MA63 and the 'Sabah for Sabahans' movement. People are increasingly disillusioned with prolonged marginalisation by the federal government and are turning to parties that genuinely represent their aspirations,' he said. He added that Sabah STAR's consistent push for equal partnership with Putrajaya and greater state autonomy has garnered growing grassroots support across constituencies. 'The decision by the late Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Dun's family to join Sabah STAR is symbolic of a new chapter for Beaufort. Their support, particularly under the leadership of our president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, reinforces public trust in our commitment to Sabah's future,' said Jin. He also thanked the party's vice president, Datuk Kenny Chua, for his continuous support and guidance. With the latest developments, the division is intensifying efforts to strengthen its party machinery, engage more communities, and prepare for the upcoming elections. 'We are united in our mission to serve the people and deliver the change Sabah truly deserves,' he added.
The Star
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah polls: PBS calls on its grassroots to support any GRS candidate
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is spreading the word to its grassroots to support any Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidates, regardless of which component party they represent, in the coming state elections. Native-based multiracial parties PBS and Sabah STAR are working to ensure that their respective grassroots support any candidate contesting on a GRS ticket in Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus seats. In a show of support for the cooperation agreement between the two parties, PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam visited the Tulid state constituency, currently held by Sabah STAR's Datuk Flovia Ng. ALSO READ: A solo sojourn? Dr Gunsalam made it clear to his grassroots that they must support the GRS candidate in the state election, due by Nov 11. 'I hope all PBS members in Tulid will give full cooperation to any component party in GRS," the Deputy Chief Minister II told party members in the interior seat in Keningau district recently. Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Dr Gunsalam have agreed that both parties would not ask for their candidates to be fielded in seats they currently hold. PBS has seven seats while Sabah STAR holds six. The two parties, bitter rivals until after the 2018 general election, held a convention earlier this month to strengthen their cooperation. They aim to contest more than 20 non-Muslim native seats under GRS, led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. ALSO READ: Sabah at a crossroads over next state polls 'The cooperation within GRS is the best for us (PBS and Sabah STAR). The convention reflected an agreement that needs to be continued and translated when the time comes to officially merge,' Dr Gunsalam told his party members in Telupid. He said PBS was committed to supporting the decisions of the GRS top leadership in its choice of candidates. In the 2020 state election, both parties fielded candidates against each other despite a prevailing agreement. The two parties, major partners in GRS, agreed last year to work together as a team with an eye on merging into a single political entity to unite the non-Muslim natives. ALSO READ: PBS, Sabah STAR grassroots call for GRS to go solo in upcoming Sabah polls Following the fall of the PBS government led by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in 1994, the Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus have been widely divided by various splinter parties that emerged. Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), under Barisan Nasional, and Upko, under Pakatan Harapan, are strong in certain seats, while the state opposition Parti Warisan has also gained ground in some non-Muslim seats, particularly in semi-urban areas. Hajiji's Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, the anchor of GRS, also holds some non-Muslim native seats.
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Strong sentiment for GRS to go solo
Dr Jeffrey (left) and Dr Joachim during the press conference. PENAMPANG (July 12): Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Sabah STAR) members made their voices heard loud and clear during the unity convention here today — rallying behind the call for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to contest solo in the upcoming 17th State Election. The enthusiastic response of 'solo' to the shout of 'GRS' echoed throughout the venue, reflecting a strong grassroots sentiment for the coalition to chart its own path in the coming polls. Commenting on this, GRS Chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the sentiment is a positive indication of unity and high morale within the coalition. 'This is a good sign for unity in GRS, and it also shows the coalition's strong spirit in facing the coming election. The sentiment for GRS to contest solo is quite strong, and we will discuss this during the GRS Supreme Council meeting,' he said when closing the convention here today. When asked whether the current state legislative assembly would go the full term, Hajiji laughed and replied, 'Don't ask that — I will think about it later.' He emphasised that while the Chief Minister has the prerogative to advise the Head of State on the dissolution of the assembly, all major decisions within GRS are made collectively. 'Any decision must go through the Supreme Council. If I want to dissolve (the assembly), I will negotiate and inform all my colleagues — the presidents of the component parties. There must be a consensus,' he stressed. Hajiji's remarks come amid growing calls from within GRS for a clear and independent direction as the coalition heads toward the next state election. Earlier, Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan rallied the 5,000-strong crowd at the Unity Convention to support the call for GRS to contest solo. His rallying cry of 'GRS' was met with a resounding 'solo' from members of PBS and Sabah STAR present at the event. Speaking to reporters later, Dr Jeffrey reiterated that Sabah STAR would prefer for GRS to enter the state election independently. 'Yes, because the initial announcement received strong support. However, this can be reconsidered if other parties agree to use the GRS logo,' he said. Acting PBS President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam concurred, but emphasized that GRS must remain the dominant force if it were to collaborate with any coalition or party. Dr Jeffrey added that GRS should be allocated the majority of seats and proposed that any non-GRS entity contest no more than 15 seats. 'If they lose — especially without using our symbol — GRS still retains the majority,' he pointed out. On seat allocations, Dr Joachim revealed that PBS has submitted its 'wish list' to the GRS leadership, targeting more than 12 seats. 'But this is not the time to be overly selective. The most important thing is for GRS to win,' he stressed. Dr Jeffrey acknowledged that every party aspires to contest more seats, but the matter remains subject to negotiation and final agreement. Sabah STAR, he said, is eyeing no more than 15 seats. On the possibility of both PBS and Sabah STAR contesting the same seats, Dr Joachim admitted a few overlaps but said discussions were ongoing to resolve the matter internally and with other GRS component parties. 'There's no point in contesting seats held by fellow components. Doing so only causes division and opens the door for the opposition. We must focus on choosing the best candidate for both parties and for GRS,' he said.
