KOTA KINABALU, Oct 2 — Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) have indicated they will contest the upcoming 17th Sabah state election under their own party symbols, a move that would effectively end their membership in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said STAR president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan and SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee conveyed their position during the coalition’s presidential council meeting chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor last night.
“In the meeting, STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee expressed their parties’ intention to contest under their respective party symbols in the 17th state election.
“They stated that the decision was made because they did not want to be bound by the state seat allocation quota that will be finalised between GRS and PH.
“This means STAR and SAPP are likely to field candidates in constituencies that will also be contested by PH candidates,” said Masidi.
Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, had earlier stressed that the coalition must contest as a single entity, with all candidates standing under the GRS logo.
Masidi said that after “open and sincere” discussions lasting nearly two hours, the meeting resolved that any component party contesting under its own symbol would be deemed to have left GRS.
“With this decision and action, STAR and SAPP’s membership in GRS automatically comes to an end.
“The presidents of STAR and SAPP also stated that they respect the stance of other component parties that chose to remain in GRS and continue the strategic cooperation with PH in the coming state election,” he said.
He added that the decision was respected by all leaders present at the meeting.
Besides Hajiji, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) president, the meeting was attended by leaders from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Sabah Bersatu (USNO), Parti Liberal Demokratik (LDP), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS).
Masidi said the meeting was conducted in a spirit of goodwill, sincerity and openness.
“All leaders present accepted the decision reached through consultation and continued to embrace differences of opinion in the spirit of a healthy and mature democracy,” he said.
He added that GRS would now focus on strengthening its campaign machinery and strategy for PRN-17, with full commitment to political stability and Sabah’s well-being.
Before the meeting, Kitingan had said he would leave the coalition if GRS went ahead with its election pact with national coalition partner PH. STAR currently holds six seats in the 73-seat State Assembly.
He said his position was driven by grassroots sentiment, though STAR has yet to make an official announcement.
