SARAWAK political party State Reform Party (Star) has changed its name to Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak.

The Registrar of Societies approved the name change on January 24 and the party’s new logo is the Rajah Brooke Birdwing butterfly set against a yellow shield, Aspirasi’s president Lina Soo said today.

The name change it said is to reflect “today’s aspiration” of its party members, supporters and the people who “desire to see a free, rich and glorious Sarawak”, she added.

Soo said Aspirasi plans to be a third force in politics, after recent general elections showed that the two-party system can be a reality in Malaysia.

“Now the time is ripe for Sarawak to lead the way in third-force politics.

“The third party is about serving the people and does not care about ministerial positions, GLC (government-linked companies) appointments, contracts and does not have to kowtow to the government or political bosses,” she said.

If Aspirasi candidates are elected to the state legislative assembly, Soo said the party will advocate a referendum, which will include the option of Sarawakian independence and restoration of sovereignty.

Soo said a referendum will “put to rest” the statement made by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in New York on September 28, 2018, that the people of Sarawak do not to want independence and Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg’s statements that Sarawak will “stay in the federation of Malaysia forever”.

For the coming state election, Soo said Aspirasi is open to working with parties with similar ideals like state rights group Sarawak for Sarawakians, and political parties Parti Bumi Kenyalang and even Parti Sarawak Bersatu.

Aspirasi is aiming at contesting 22 of the state legislative assembly’s 82 seats.

Soo said she will contest in the urban Chinese majority seat of Padungan, currently held by DAP.

Aspirasi chairman Bulm Ribos will contest in the Bidayuh-majority rural seat of Serembu, held by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu.

The former Star party was founded by doctor-turned-politician Dr Patau Rubis and is a splinter of the state’s first ruling party, the Sarawak National Party (Snap). Star was registered on October 9, 1996. Patau died in 2016. – February 22, 2020.