TAWAU: The current political turmoil in the peninsula should not serve as a model for how Sabah's political parties should treat their allies.
Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said irrespective of what is transpiring in the peninsula between Umno and Perikatan Nasional (PN), it should stay there.
"I hope we will work with each other in Sabah. If we do not allow such confusion and uncertainty to happen here, I believe we will win many seats without jeopardising the good relations we already have.
"I implore our political leaders to think as Sabahans. We must not allow the 'disease' in Malaya to infect us. Our leaders must be united and work together," he said after launching the 65th anniversary of the Quion Hill Agriculture Research Station here today.
In response to questions over STAR's political influence in Sabah's east coast, Kitingan said its divisional chiefs are working hard to introduce the party and its ideology to the voters here.
"We don't know when the general election will be held, but STAR together with other parties in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are already preparing for it.
"For STAR, if we believe we have an opportunity to win here, we will, of course, have to challenge for a seat. However, it entirely depends on how appealing the party is to the voters.
"That is why we must ensure the voters are informed about us so we can persuade them that we are the best option for them and their future," he said in a statement.