Jeffrey Kitingan seeks third Tambunan term; Kenny Chua eyes Inanam comeback; 11 more names coming soon.
PETALING JAYA: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku will field contenders in 40 constituencies for the November 29 state polls, though only 29 names were unveiled Tuesday.
Party president Jeffrey Kitingan, who recently departed his deputy chief minister post, indicated the remaining 11 candidates would be announced closer to Saturday’s nomination day, according to Berita Harian.
Kitingan will pursue a third consecutive term representing Tambunan, while deputy president Kenny Chua aims to reclaim the Inanam seat he secured on a PKR ticket in 2013 reported.
Chua contested Inanam as an independent in 2020 but finished third in a 10-way race, losing to PKR’s Peto Galim, who will defend the constituency in the upcoming polls.
Information chief Anuar Ghani has been assigned to Karanaan, a seat held by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Datuk Masidi Manjun since 2004.
The announcement comes after STAR withdrew from the ruling GRS coalition in October over disagreements regarding seat allocations to Pakatan Harapan, with the party opting to contest independently under the banner “Sabah for Sabahans.”
STAR’s initial 29-Candidate Lineup:
Northern Region:
Maklin Masiau (Bengkoka), Shirewin D Patrick (Bandau), Arlinsia Agang (Tandek), Raplin Samat (Pintasan), Walter Mark Mukis (Tempasuk), Lin Harun (Usukan), Jinitoh Sontori (Tamparuli), Terence Sinti (Kiulu), Stephen Teo (Karambunai).
Urban West Coast:
Kenny Chua (Inanam), Ting Shu Kiong (Api-Api), Annita Shiela F Among (Petagas), Bernard Logijin (Kapayan).
Rural West Coast:
Beverley Natalie Koh (Kawang), Adrian Lajim (Membakut), Moktar Matussin (Sindumin).
Interior Highlands:
Anuar Ghani (Karanaan), Feddrin Tuliang (Paginatan), Jeffrey Kitingan (Tambunan), Ishak Ayub (Bingkor), Augustine A Nain (Liawan), Alviana Linus (Melalap), Azroy Abdullah (Kemabong), Evaritus Gungkit (Tulid), Ireneus Pagut (Sook).
Eastern Sabah:
Suling Isib (Tungku), Taha Dara (Bugaya), Chee Kheng Moi (Balung), Fung Len Fui (Sri Tanjong).
The party’s strategy centers on leveraging grassroots support for Sabah autonomy issues, particularly the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the 40% special grant entitlement recently affirmed by the High Court.
With 11 candidates yet to be announced, STAR’s final lineup will be revealed ahead of Saturday’s nomination deadline.
