Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan has not ruled out collaborating with Warisan, signalling his openness to work with any Sabah-based party.

“We are open to working with any local party,” Jeffrey said when asked about Warisan’s proposal during a Chinese New Year walkabout in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, on Sunday.

The statement follows remarks by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who said both Sabah STAR and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) were not keen on working with Warisan, the state’s main opposition party.

GRS is an eight-party coalition, including Sabah Star, that currently partners with Pakatan Harapan in the Sabah government.  

Jeffrey said Sabah leaders should view the state as their home and work towards unity, similar to Sarawak’s approach.

“We must move forward together,” he said.

His remarks suggest STAR has not completely closed the door on Warisan, despite GRS dismissing the possibility of cooperation.

Warisan information chief Datuk Azis Jamman recently said the party was pushing for local political unity but ruled out any collaboration with Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan) due to some of its leaders’ alleged involvement in a mining licence corruption scandal.

Gagasan is a key party in GRS, alongside PBS and Sabah STAR.

Masidi, who is also Gagasan’s deputy president, shot down Warisan’s overtures, saying PBS and Sabah STAR were not interested in cooperating with the opposition.

In a similar tone, Jeffrey also took aim at national-based parties, accusing them of undermining Sabah’s autonomy. 

“When Malaysia was formed, Sabah, Sarawak, and Malaya agreed on equal partnership and autonomy,” he said.

“But if you already have 100 seats in the peninsula, why come and take the 10 that belong to us?” Jeffrey asked.

“That’s colonial control. It shows a lack of respect for our merger or autonomy.”

Previously, the Tambunan assemblyman made known his views that the GRS should contest the upcoming Sabah election independently. 

His statement appears to contradict GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who had earlier informed PH leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that GRS was open to working with Sabah PH for the state election expected this year. 

PH is a national-based political coalition with a political chapter in Sabah. – January 12, 2025.