KOTA KLINABALU: Sabah STAR’s move to quit Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is not just bold but a highly risky gamble, serving as a litmus test for the state’s regionalism, say political observers.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer Prof Dr Romzi Ationg described the move as one that could either cement one’s legacy as a principled leader or could sideline one entirely if it doesn’t pay off.
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He said Sabah STAR’s exit, masterminded by its president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (pic), signals deeper tensions in Sabah politics.
“It is a fight between local versus national influence, between principle versus pragmatism, and between ideology versus political survival,” Romzi said.
He said the Tambunan assemblyman and Keningau MP will have to mobilise his grassroots, capitalise on disillusionment and campaign effectively, only then he might succeed in carving out a meaningful niche.
“But if not, the defection of key assemblymen and the disadvantage of going solo may limit Sabah STAR’s impact in the coming election,” he said.
On Oct 1, Sabah STAR, the third biggest coalition partner in the eight-party GRS, along with Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), pulled out of the coalition following its move to forge an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan.
In a dramatic twist, five of Sabah STAR’s assemblymen declared that they would remain in GRS and support coalition chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The five are Datuk Elron Alfred Angin (Sook), Datuk Robert Tavik (Bingkor), Datuk Flovia Ng (Tulid), Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan) and Datuk Annuar Ayub Aman (Liawan).
Analyst Tony Paridi Bagang said the exit by Sabah STAR and SAPP would determine whether popular sentiment for locally governed politics can translate into tangible electoral support.
“The outcome will reveal if the electorate genuinely prioritises local autonomy over broader coalition stability.
“This recurring narrative of ‘local versus national’ will likely dominate campaign discourses, as parties seek to appeal to Sabahans’ strong sense of regional identity and autonomy,” he added.
