KOTA KINABALU: Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (STAR) Deputy President Datuk Kenny Chua said a stronger presence of local parties in the Sabah government would help advance the state’s long-standing demands for its rights from the federal government.
Chua said the Nov. 29 state election results signalled a clear message from Sabah voters about their expectations of both state and federal administrations.
He congratulated Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Noor, whose Gagasan Rakyat Sabah coalition formed the new state government, and reiterated STAR’s commitment to supporting Hajiji’s leadership.
STAR President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had earlier said the party would contribute constructively to the government’s development and reform agenda.
Dr Jeffrey said it was essential for Sabah to have “strong, principled voices” in negotiations over its claim to a 40% share of federal revenue collected in the state.
Chua noted reports on a statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who acknowledged that Sabahans had suffered years of neglect and injustice, and that the election outcome reflected voters’ demand for meaningful reforms.
“Now we must play our role to push the voices of the people,” Chua said.
Commenting on STAR’s performance in the polls, Chua said the party’s candidates had done well despite limited campaign funds.
“Our candidates were division chiefs who had to finance their campaigns from their own pockets. They didn’t have much, but they fought hard for the party and our supporters,” he said.
Chua contested in Inanam but did not win the seat.
Thanking all his supporters, Chua said the election results also showed a massive rejection of Malay-based parties especially the DAP that suffered a total wife out, by Sabahans.
“For this, I thank Inanam voters and Sabah in general. You booted the majority of them out.”
