Leadership question looms over proposed Warisan-STAR-KDM pact?

A proposed pact between Warisan, Jeffrey Kitingan’s Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) may face several challenges, an analyst says, particularly the question of which party will lead the alliance.

Arvin Tarjari told FMT the three parties must resolve questions over leadership and seat allocations well before the 16th general election (GE16). He said competition for the alliance’s top post was likely, given the standing of their respective leaders.

Arvin said Warisan president Shafie Apdal may have an advantage over his counterparts in STAR and KDM, given his extensive political experience and Warisan’s stronger representation in both Parliament and the Sabah state assembly.

Shafie, a former Umno vice-president, served as Sabah chief minister from 2018 to 2020 and has also held several federal ministerial portfolios.

“Shafie should be allowed to lead the pact, with the help of Kitingan, the STAR president, to attract support from Kadazandusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) voters, especially on the west coast of Sabah,” Arvin said.

At Warisan’s general assembly on Sunday, Shafie hinted at a possible alliance between Warisan, STAR and KDM to challenge Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the 16th general election (GE16).

STAR was represented by its deputy president, Lawrence Gimbang, while KDM acting president Priscella Peter was also present.

Priscella is the daughter of KDM founder, Peter Anthony, a former Warisan vice-president who was released from prison on parole earlier this year after serving a third of this three-year jail term for forgery.

Similar target voters make seat talks critical

Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Lee Kuok Tiung said seat negotiations would be a more critical issue, as all three parties compete for the same pool of voters.

Lee said STAR and KDM both enjoy support among Kadazandusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) voters, but noted that Warisan also has a presence in the community, pointing to the Penampang parliamentary seat previously held by its deputy president, Darell Leiking.

“The issue of seat distribution would surely be a critical hurdle and major test for any political pact or cooperation,” he said.

The KDMR community forms the majority of voters in several parliamentary constituencies, including Kota Marudu (held by KDM), Keningau (STAR), Tuaran and Penampang (Upko), Ranau (GRS), Tenom (independent) and Pensiangan (Barisan Nasional).

However, Lee said there could also be a tussle for Chinese-majority urban seats, particularly after Warisan swept these seats in the Sabah state election last year.

“The STAR grassroots would no doubt want the party to try its luck in urban seats as well,” he said.

Lee said the parties would need to make a concerted effort to persuade their respective grassroots supporters to accept the alliance, given their history of contesting against one another.

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