KOTA KINABALU, Oct 6 — Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan has given five defecting assemblymen a week to change their minds, warning that many newer and younger candidates are ready to take their place.
Kitingan said the five assemblymen who had publicly announced their support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) now have less than a week to confirm their decision if they wish to return to the fold.
“There are many people ready to replace them. I have given them a week, and half of that period has already passed,” he said when met at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport today.
Kitingan, who had just returned from Kuala Lumpur, was greeted by several hundred supporters waving Sabah flags, banners and posters.
He had led his party out of the local coalition to contest under their own logo, but five of his assemblymen — deputy president Datuk Ellron Angian (Sook), Datuk Annuar Ayub (Liawan), Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan), Datuk Flovia Ng (Tulid) and Datuk Robert Tawik (Bingkor) — said they would remain with GRS.
“The actions of the five are their choice. I won’t stop them — they know what they should do,” he said.
“If they ignore the people’s voices or fail to respect public sentiment, then we will let the people decide,” he added.
Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan arrives at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, greeted by hundreds of supporters waving Sabah flags and banners. — Picture by Julia Chan
Kitingan, who is also the incumbent Tambunan assemblyman, said this was an opportunity for the party to give space to younger candidates who have been loyal fighters and can bring fresh ideas into the political landscape.
He said STAR would work with the Sabah Progressive Party, which had also left the GRS coalition to head into the elections without a national party alliance.
“From the start we have been a team. The agreements are still valid. This is the same struggle we’ve been in for a long time,” he said, adding that he was open to working with other local parties.
“Our next move will be guided by the will of the people and the party’s long-standing slogans of ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ and ‘Justice for Sabah’.”
“We simply want the people’s choice to reflect public sentiment. We will protect our home. For 62 years we have been left behind, even though our land is rich,” he said.
Kitingan, who appeared teary-eyed when met at the airport’s arrival hall, said he was emotional after years of struggle for the state.
“I have fought and I have gone to prison. The struggle is not finished. We are still fighting. Until when will we be divided and ruled? Enough is enough,” he said.
