Former PBRS Sook assemblyman Ellron Angin joins Sabah STAR

KOTA KINABALU: Former Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) Sook assemblyman Datuk Ellron Angin (pic) has joined forces with opposition Parti Solidariti Tanah AirKu (Sabah STAR) led by Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan.

Ellron, who has remained an independent assemblyman since the fall of the Sabah Barisan Nasional government on May 12, handed over his application to the STAR president in Sabah’s interior Sook Sunday (Dec 16).

Another surprise at the ceremony was former Umno Keningau member Annuar Ayub, the nephew of former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, who submitted his application to join the interior based Sabah STAR.

When contacted Dr Jeffrey said that he expected former Upko assemblyman Datuk Bobbie Suan to join Sabah STAR after he returns from his leave.

“Bobbie could not make it for today’s ceremony, he is on leave,” said the Tambunan assemblyman and Keningau MP, who is seen strengthening his Sabah interior base.

Ellron’s move into Sabah STAR gives the party three assemblymen.

The party with two assemblymen emerged kingmakers after the May 9 general election left the 60-member Sabah assembly hung as both Barisan and the Warisan-led Pakatan Harapan coalition winning 29 seats each.

Dr Jeffrey threw his support behind Sabah Barisan led by Tan Sri Musa Aman to be sworn in on May 10 but Musa lost his majority hardly 36-hours later following a spate defection from Barisan’s Umno assemblymen and a coalition partner, Upko.

With Shafie taking over as Chief Minister on May 12, Barisan component parties PBRS, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) left the coalition and tried to regroup as Gabungan Bersatu Sabah with Sabah Umno leaders in it.

However, Sabah Umno’s 16 lawmakers quit the party last week amid political anticipation that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia will be spreading its wings into Sabah.

A race to pull in former Sabah Barisan assemblymen and MPs is seen to have gained momentum over the last few days with former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman also sending out mixed messages on the possibility of starting up a new party.