523 PKR members in Kota Belud jumped to STAR

By Ezra Haganez

KOTA BELUD : Resurging State Reform Party (STAR) claimed 523 members of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) from Kota Belud had or are quitting the Malaya-based- party for STAR.

STAR divisional head for Kota Belud, Rubin Guribah, who was formerly a Kota Belud's PKR deputy divisional head, said at least six PKR's polling district's committee (JDM) here also had been dissolved.

The JDMs are from Kinasaraban, Taginambur, Sayap, Kiau, Gaur and Melangkap areas, he claimed.

According to Guribah, many in the PKR division also had quit the party, losing confidence in its policy and direction. "Among those local leaders who quit with me were Peter Dasim, Naim Angkat, Tingkun Penimbul, Laimin Linahan, Soidol Dominting, Jason Munggin Limpakan and many others," he said.

He disclosed this at the launching of Tempasuk STAR by STAR state chairman, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, yesterday at the house of a former PBS leader who had joined STAR, Suwah Buleh.

Meanwhile, STAR state deputy chairman, Daniel John Jambun, in a statement said more are expected to join STAR not only in Kota Belud but from other districts.

In welcoming the 523 into STAR, Jambun said their bold decision indicated that local Sabahans wanted a strong voice from an independent local party. "The people know what they are doing...this augurs well for STAR and Sabah," he said.

Earlier in his launching speech, Dr Jeffrey called on Sabahans to rally behind the United Borneo Alliance (UBA) in order to push for its seven-point Borneo Agenda STAR mooted.

"Our support is growing and this shows that the people want change, and this is the time for change. Our membership in Sabah has reached 160,000 in a matter of less than three months from our state launching on Jan 6, and this is a very good development," he said.

Also present at the well-attended function were former Kadamaian (in the 1960s known as Sorob and later Kebayau) USNO assemblyman, Ismail Gimbad, president of United Sabah Dusun Tindal Organisation (USTO), James Bagah, and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) supreme council leader, Peter Marajin.