Sabah Star to close shop following ROS rejection

The Sabah chapter of the State Reform Party (Star) is to close shop following the rejection of a crucial constitution amendment in the Sarawak-based party by the Registrar of Societies' (ROS).

"The ROS did not approve the amendment and as a result only Sarawakians can become members and hold office in Star," former Star leader Daniel Jambun said today.

"There is no point for us to remain in Star," said Jambun.

"The Sabah Star has to close down, and all committee members including Sabah Star chairperson Dr Jeffrey Kitingan are expected to join Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), which was recently registered."

Jambun was asked by Malaysiakini on speculation Jeffrey would "jump ship" again after major differences with Star's founding president Dr Patau Rubis over the disbursement of party funds during the last general election.

Star parliamentary candidates claimed that they failed to receive funds for their May 5 general election campaigns in Sarawak, even though more than RM3 million had been given to Star headquarters.

"He is not resigning from Star because of that," Jambun said.

"Dr Jeffrey is not jumping ship from Star to PCS. It is because Sabah Star is to be dissolved and all committee members including, Dr Jeffrey are joining PCS."

No political frogs

Jambun pointed out that the application to register PCS was made by Jeffrey in 2009, soon after he left PKR.

"As he could not wait for its registration in time for the 13th general election, he and many of us approached Patau Rubis, the founding president of the State Reform Party (Sarawak), for the party to be extended to Sabah so that we could use it as our platform.

"We were really serious to form the Sabah chapter of Star, but the registrar did not approve our constitution. The authorities only allowed us to use Star's symbol in the May 2013 general election," he said.

"You cannot say Dr Jeffrey and many of us are political frogs. We are forced to abandon Sabah Star."

Jeffrey, who is the only Star candidate to win a state seat (Bingkor) in the last election, had switched parties numerous times since entering politics, starting with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) which is headed by his elder brother Joseph Kitingan.

He later switched to Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Parti Angkatan Keadilan Rakyat (Akar Bersatu) and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) in quick succession.

Jeffrey left Upko to join Umno in 2003, but when his application was rejected, he joined PKR and was with the opposition party until October 2009.

By Dukau Papau