KOTA KINABALU, Oct 6 — Deputy president Datuk Ellron Angian today confirmed that five assemblymen from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) will continue to align themselves with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition as direct members, despite the party’s recent withdrawal from the bloc.
Ellron, who is also the Sook assemblyman, said the decision was made following Star president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s move to pull the party out of GRS last week.
“The five of us have decided to continue under GRS as direct members. We have not informed the GRS president yet — we will do so when the time comes,” he told reporters when met at a gathering with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor here today.
The five assemblymen are Ellron, Datuk Annuar Ayub (Liawan), Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan), Datuk Flovia Ng (Tulid) and Datuk Robert Tawik (Bingkor).
All hold government positions, either as assistant ministers or in government-linked entities.
Today’s event was held in conjunction with the announcement of the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly.
Their attendance drew attention after Star’s leadership had indicated its exit from the ruling coalition to contest under its own logo in the upcoming state election.
Party president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also the Tambunan assemblyman, was not present at the event.
GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun had previously said that STAR and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) had effectively left the coalition following their decision to go solo.
However, Kitingan has yet to issue an official letter confirming STAR’s departure.
