A reliable source said that the opposition party will be fielding candidates in Matunggong, Tempasuk, Tandek, Kadamaian, Kiulu, Kundasang, Paginatan, Kuamut, Tambunan, Bingkor, Liawan, Melalap, Sook, Tamparuli and Labuk.
The parliamentary seats are Ranau, Keningau, Tenom, Pensiangan and Penampang.
The source said the 20 seats where Star will be contesting was a result of the negotiations among parties in Gabungan Sabah - Harapan Rakyat led by Klias assemblyman Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) led by former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee and Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) led by Mohd Arshad Abdul Maulap.
The source also confirmed that party president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan will be contesting in the Tambunan state and Keningau parliamentary seats.
"As for the rest of the Star candidates, it's almost finalised. Maybe there's only one or two to be sorted out," he said, adding that the party will make a formal announcement of seats and candidates as well as unveil its manifesto next week.
In the 2013 general election, the party contested in 49 state and 21 parliamentary seats, where only Dr Jeffrey won in Bingkor. Dr Jeffrey is likely to face his elder brother Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah President, in Tambunan.
It was reported that another younger brother, Crispin, from Parti Warisan Sabah, will also be contesting in the seat.
Pairin, however, has been tight-lipped about whether or not he will participate in the coming election.
On few occasions when asked by reporters, he said the people will know on nomination day.
He had previously announced his retirement from politics but last year said he was willing to contest again on the advice of the PBS supreme council.
The two brothers will also face-off in Keningau if Pairin also decided to defend the federal seat again.
Dr Jeffrey lost to Pairin the last time they contested against each other for the seat five years ago. - Leonard Alaza
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