United Borneo Front (UBF) president Jeffrey Kitingan today announced the formation of an alliance with Sabah and Sarawak-based parties, to be known as the United Borneo Alliance, to take on the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming 13th general election (GE).  

NONE The former PKR vice-president made the announcement in Kota Kinabalu in the presence of Sarawak-based State Reform Party (Star) president Dripin Anak Sakoi, who assumed the post after its former president Patau Rubis assumed the post of the party’s permanent chairman.    

Also present were pro-tem president of newly revived Usno, Badaruddin Datu Mustapha and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president Amde Sidik.     

“Sabah and Sarawak have common interests. We feel there is a need to form an alliance as a platform for us to pursue the Borneo agenda.     

“We (Sabah and Sarawak) can be teammates in protecting and safeguarding the interests and the rights of the people in both states,” Jeffrey told reporters after making the announcement at UBF's first anniversary celebration.     

However, he did not name a platform for him and his supporters to carry on his political career, amidst growing speculation that he would form the Sabah chapter of a Sarawak-based party.     

Jeffrey also said the formation of the alliance was the best platform to champion the cause and the interests of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.     

“Our focus now is to strengthen Borneo’s interests through the local perspective,” he said.

With the emergence of a Borneo-based alliance, the ruling BN will face a mounting challenge, not only from Pakatan Rakyat comprising DAP, PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), but also from the United Borneo Alliance in Sabah and Sarawak.     

Asked about the symbol of the new alliance for the GE, Jeffrey said: “It has not yet been decided, but we are working on it.”      

- Bernama