By Allan G. Dumbong
International Correspondent
Whether PBStar will emerge as a dominant force remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the stakes have never been higher for Sabah’s political future.
KOTA KINABALU : – The proposed merger between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti
Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), to be named “PBStar”, marks a pivotal moment in Sabah’s
political landscape.
The unification aims to consolidate resources, streamline objectives, and strengthen the fight for Sabah rights in the face of the growing influence of Malaya-based parties.
The roots of this struggle and unity among Sabahans, particularly the indigenous
KadazanDusun and Murut communities, date back to the political struggles of the 1980s when Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, then an emerging political figure, challenged the dominance of the ruling Bersatu Rakyat Jelata Sabah (BERJAYA) party.
The milestones of the struggle were Pairin’s resignation from BERJAYA due to political
disputes and his subsequent victory in the Tambunan by-election as an independent candidate and later formation of the PBS on 5 March 1985.
Building on this momentum, the PBS secured a historic victory in the 1985 state elections,
toppling the BERJAYA and the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO).
However, the PBS government faced continued opposition from federal leaders, including then Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad.
Meanwhile, Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Pairin’s younger brother, returned to Sabah in 1984 after earning a Master of Law and Diplomacy (MALD) and a PhD from Harvard-Tufts University.
Early in his political career, he was appointed Deputy Director and later Director of the Sabah Foundation, where he played a key role in the establishment of the Foundation’s commercial arm, Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd, and the state’s think tank, the Institute for Development Studies (IDS).
His tenure at the Sabah Foundation, Innoprise and IDS from 1985 to 1992 was characterised
by efforts to support the PBS-led government during a turbulent period.
After the 1990 general election, which weakened the PBS, Jeffrey was imprisoned under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for over two years.
After his release in 1994, he struggled to find a stable political platform even though he became PBS’ representatives, but eventually found a base with the formation of STAR, which has since campaigned for Sabah’s rights, particularly for the implementation of the United Nations Treaty, Malaysia Agreement (MA63), signed in 1963.
Political analysts see this merger as a turning point for Sabah.
Allan Dumbong, a local political analyst, believes that “Jeffrey’s Borneo agenda is not far removed from the PBS’ fight for
Sabah rights within Malaysian politics
He believes that this move will also help reduce the fragmentation of Sabah’s indigenous political parties, which has weakened their nationalism, and, thus their bargaining power at the federal level.
“As a former PBS member and now a life member of STAR, I find this merger strategic,
inspiring and necessary,” said political analyst, Allan Dumbong.
“With the right strategy, PBStar can significantly impact Sabah’s political future, ensuring a united voice for Sabahans.” Dumbong added.
Dumbong also extended his support to the leadership of PBS and STAR, offering his expertise as a “backroom strategist” to contribute to the struggle for Sabah’s rights.
As Sabah moves toward a critical electoral period, the political landscape is set for a major shift.
Whether PBStar will emerge as a dominant force remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the stakes have never been higher for Sabah’s political future.
