By David E.
SANDAKAN: Oct 27, 2026 — The presence of leaders from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) at Parti Warisan’s 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Dewan Hakka here last Sunday is a clear signal of political cooperation ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
STAR Acting Deputy President Datuk Lawrence Gimbang and KDM Acting President Priscella Peter attended with their respective members at the event officiated by Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Asked about cooperation with the two parties after the AGM, Shafie pointed to their presence: “Their presence here today is clear enough.” However, he did not announce any formal electoral pact, stating instead that negotiations were still at an early stage.
Shafie said cooperation must be built on sincerity, with each party contributing its own strengths rather than trying to dominate the others. He stressed that the priority was ensuring that the candidates fielded could win.
STAR Sulaman Division Chief Datuk Kalakau Untol said the best approach was for Sabah-based parties themselves to form a new Sabah government led by local parties, as they better understood Sabah’s needs—especially in ensuring that Sabah’s rights and the 40% revenue entitlement as enshrined in the Constitution are fully honoured.
“All three parties—Warisan, STAR and PKDM—share the same agenda. There is therefore justification for these parties to work together to face GE16. I am confident that cooperation among these three parties will be a good choice for the people of Sabah,” he said.
Warisan is targeting 26 parliamentary seats in GE16 together with partner parties, covering 25 seats in Sabah and one in Labuan. Sabah has 25 federal parliamentary seats out of 222.
The presence of Lawrence and Priscella on the main stage, including jointly cutting the party’s anniversary cake, is seen by analysts as an early indication of a unification of Sabah’s local political bloc that could pose stiff competition in Kadazandusun Murut-majority areas.
Warisan had previously stated its openness to cooperating with STAR and KDM. No formal electoral understanding has been announced so far.
