KOTA KINABALU, Oct 6 — Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is expecting electoral clashes with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) now that both parties are no longer part of the coalition, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, said the two parties had effectively quit the coalition by announcing plans to contest under their own logos and were now free to field candidates wherever they wished.
“If they are not with GRS, then there will certainly be clashes. Surely they will put candidates wherever they like, and we are sure to clash with some of them,” he said.
Asked whether there could be any cooperation after the election, Hajiji said the question did not arise.
However, he said at least four of Star’s six assemblymen remained aligned with GRS.
“They told me that they will support GRS,” he said.
When asked if Star’s exit would affect support from the Kadazandusun Murut community, Hajiji said he was confident of Parti Bersatu Sabah’s influence within that community.
Later, Star deputy president Datuk Ellron Angian confirmed their support for GRS, saying they hoped to contest as direct GRS members.
He added that Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Robert Tawik, who was not present, was also with them.
The Sabah State Legislative Assembly was dissolved today to pave the way for state elections, which must be held within 60 days.
