KOTA KINABALU: Five Sabah STAR assemblymen are defying party president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan for withdrawing their party from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and have instead expressed support for the coalition.
Datuk Flovia Ng (Tulid), Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin (Sook), Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan) and Datuk Annuar Ayub Aman (Liawan) were present with GRS leaders at the announcement of the state assembly dissolution.
It is understood that Datuk Robert Tawik (Bingkor) had also planned to attend but was unable to due to health reasons.
Their move means Kitingan will be the only Sabah STAR representative not aligned with GRS. The 78-year-old is expected to defend his Tambunan seat.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) had also pulled out of GRS, leaving the coalition with six parties.
At a press conference after the announcement, Hajiji, who is GRS chairman, confirmed that the Sabah STAR assemblymen had decided to support the coalition.
“They have made it clear to me that they are backing GRS,” he said, but did not say if they will be candidates for GRS.
He said GRS will fight against SAPP and Sabah STAR candidates while dismissing any possibility of working together again after the state polls.
With the exit of Sabah STAR, Hajiji said the coalition is banking on Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to secure support from the ethnic Kadazandusun, Rungus and Murut communities.
He expressed confidence that PBS, led by acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, would be able to garner non-Muslim native backing for the coalition.
Hajiji also said GRS is committed to working with Pakatan Harapan, pointing out that because of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sabah got back nine of its powers under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Our state government is GRS-Pakatan.
“Our state and federal relations are very good and we must continue this good relations for the good of Sabah’s future and development,” he said.
At present, GRS has 35 incumbent assemblymen, Barisan Nasional has 12 (including two suspended), Parti Warisan (14), Pakatan (seven), Parti KDM two and PAS one.
