Analysts see STAR keeping options open on Warisan, KDM ties

Analysts suggest that despite STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan's denial of formal talks with Warisan or KDM, cooperation between the two parties could still be possible. Lee Kuok Tiung, a Universiti Malaysia Sabah professor, believes Kitingan's denial may be a strategic move to control the narrative and maintain flexibility before the next general election and seat-sharing arrangements are clearer.

He suggests STAR may assess its grassroots support and strength in the Kadazan Dusun-Murut region before committing to any alliance.

Awang Azman Pawi, from Universiti Malaya, shares this view, stating that STAR might be evaluating how its "Sabah for Sabahans" brand, along with its grassroots support, could translate into parliamentary seats before entering any seat-sharing negotiations. He notes that the stronger STAR appears to stand on its own, the higher its negotiating power will be in terms of seats, candidates, and policy focus. However, entering an alliance too early might make STAR appear as a junior partner to Warisan.

Both analysts agree that cooperation between STAR, Warisan, and KDM could benefit STAR by reducing competition among local parties and preventing vote-splitting. However, STAR risks losing its freedom to negotiate with other blocs and having to compromise on seat allocations and leadership. The long-standing political rivalry between Kitingan and Warisan president Shafie Apdal complicates any potential cooperation, as seen in the 2018 general election when STAR backed BN over Shafie's Warisan Plus party.

Defections by BN assemblymen in the 2020 snap election allowed Shafie to become chief minister, deepening the divide between the two leaders.

Any potential cooperation would also need to address leadership issues, such as who will be appointed Chief Minister or parliamentary leader. Both Kitingan and Warisan president Shafie have strong personal followings, and STAR's collaboration would need to overcome the challenge of introducing a rotation system for the chief minister position.