STAR deputy president Kenny Chua said these seats were among the 16 the party plans to contest in the polls, The Borneo Post reported.

“Our intention is based on the strong support we receive from the Chinese community.

“Our party has always been strong in the interior, among the indigenous community. But now, we’re witnessing a growing number of Chinese joining the party.

“In fact, many of them have urged us to contest in their respective constituencies,” said Chua, without disclosing the specific seats STAR was eyeing.

The former Inanam assemblyman said local party sentiment and STAR’s consistent stand on fighting for Sabah were among the key reasons behind its growing support among the Chinese community.

He said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah must consider the voice of the Chinese community in deciding on the final seat allocation for the polls.

Previously, Kitingan said STAR was hoping to contest for at least 16 seats in the state election, pointing to its success in winning six out of eight seats contested in 2020.

However, he acknowledged that this depended on discussions with its allies in GRS.

Currently, STAR holds the Paginatan, Tambunan, Bingkor, Liawan, Tulid and Sook state seats, which are mostly non-Muslim Bumiputera-majority seats.