PBRS deputy president Baharudin Nayan joins STAR with 500 others

By Ezra Haganez

PAPAR : A one time deputy president of Barisan Nasional component party, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Baharudin Nayan, has quit the party to join opposition State Reform Party or STAR.

The local veteran politician handed over his application form to join STAR to its Sabah chapter chairman, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan at the launching of its Papar division at the Borneo Paradise Resort in Kinarut near here today (Apr 14, 2012).

500 hundred others joined Baharudin in joining STAR which todate already has 160,000 members in Sabah since inception only three months ago.

In welcoming Baharudin and the new members, Dr Jeffrey said it is another sign that STAR's struggle of Borneo Agenda has been accepted by Sabahans. "STAR will shine in Sabah, and then in Sarawak. When STAR shines in both states, it will shine in Malaysia as it fights for our rights and autonomy," he said to applause from the about 200 in attendance.

STAR's Papar division is headed by Datuk Patrick Sindu, a well known consumer and political activist in Sabah.

Also giving speech at the function today was USNO's protem president, Datu Badaruddin Tun Mustapha, who called upon patriotic Sabahans to rally behind USNO and STAR at the coming general election.

He questioned the Federal Government for refusing to register a new USNO. "But registered or not, we in USNO will definitely put up our candidates in areas we have identified.

"Tomorrow we in USNO will hold a meeting to decide on USNO's candidates," he revealed, adding that contrary to UMNO's allegations, USNO still commands respect and has supporters across Sabah.

Datu Badaruddin said evidence of USNO's clout was in Semporna two months ago where about 3,000 locals turned up and stayed for four hours at its function even though only mineral water was served. "Dr Jeffrey witnessed the gathering in Semporna. It showed every Sabahans wanted change from UMNO..." he added.

Also in attendance were STAR Secretary-General, Donny Ruing anak Limpau, its Sabah secretary, Guandee Kohoi, and USNO's senior leaders Sofea Leong Chau Chu and Ahmad Awang.