The Sarawak-based State Reform Party (Star) suffered another setback yesterday when one of its senior leaders passed away.

Vice-president Mary Jutim died at the Sarawak general hospital in Kuching yesterday afternoon after slipping into a coma three weeks ago. She was 50.

Star president Dr Patau Rubis' personal secretary, Bernadette Tisen, said today that Jutim's death was a great loss to the party.

"We lost one of our most loyal and dedicated leaders. It's difficult to find someone to replace her in the party."

Tisen told malaysiakini that Jutim was the main "pillar" of the party in the Bidayuh heartland of Bau. "She sacrificed for so many years working full-time for the party and expecting very little in return."

She credited Jutim for being able to get the womenfolk in the Bidayuh kampungs "to stand up for their rights and be counted in society".

Her contributions to Bidayuh women, not only on the political front but in other spheres as well were simply amazing, Tisen said.

Jutim, a Star founder member, was also responsible for establishing the party's Wanita wing. She also served as the wing's deputy leader.

Little headway

It is believed that the death of the party's vice president has seriously depleted the strength of Star, Sarawak's only local opposition party. Since its formation in 1996, the party had struggled to stamp its mark on the state's political scene but made little headway.

Star had contested in two state and one parliamentary elections over the past six years but all its candidates were defeated. Dr Patau even failed to retain the party's sole parliamentary seat of Mas Gading in the 1999 general election.

After last September's state elections, several key leaders left the party citing differences with their party president. Since then, Star has maintained a low profile.