PAPAR: The Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) has received 1,000 new membership applications which includes several former leaders and members of opposition parties.
STAR President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and organising chairman Datuk Claudius Roman were on hand to receive their application forms in a ceremony held here on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Kitingan said he was pleased with the party’s growing support from constituents in Papar.
“We also launched our election machinery here in Papar today, and we are optimistic that with the increasing number of party membership, they will be able to assist the party in winning the parliamentary seat here in Papar, whoever the candidate may be,” he said.
He added that the 1,000 new members will be joined by 3,000 others who have indicated an interest in joining the party soon.
Commenting on the issue of seat allocation in the next general election, Kitingan reiterated the party’s position that, as a political party, it will aim all available seats.
“Of course, we are part of a coalition. Therefore, it is natural that we will have to divide the seats fairly among ourselves, based on our respective strengths.
“There have been many speculations regarding where we will place our candidates. We have many options, but whatever seats we are given, we will make sure we win them,” he said.
At the same time, Kitingan said the party leaders are keeping an eye on the situation in Malaya.
“Politics is fluid. If it is a free-for-all situation in Malaya, then I believe the same situation will be true in Sabah,” he said.
Addressing the issues of STAR divisional chiefs leaving the party, Kitingan said some of the now-former divisional chiefs left because they wanted to run for election as candidates for their new party.
“That was what I heard. But it is okay. That is how democracy functions. Such incidents have no bearing on STAR,” he said.-pr/BNN
