Analyst Star Sapp S Prospects Uncertain In Sabah Polls After Grs Exit

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There is no guarantee that Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) or Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) will win many seats in the 17th Sabah State Election by contesting independently after leaving the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition. - NSTP FILE PICKOTA KINABALU: There is no guarantee that Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) or Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) will win many seats in the 17th Sabah State Election by contesting independently after leaving the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.
Associate Professor Dr Lee Kuok Tiung, a senior lecturer in the Communication Programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), said running as part of a coalition remains a more effective strategy.
He noted that using Sarawak as a justification for going solo is misleading, as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) — which governs the state — is itself a coalition of local parties, much like GRS in Sabah.
"The reason of going solo, like Sarawak, is actually misleading because Sarawak never truly went solo. GPS is a coalition. For instance, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) works with SUPP, PRS, and PDP. The success of GPS lies in 'teamwork' and mutual respect, not solo efforts."
He added that in past elections, parties that ran solo in Sabah frequently underperformed.
For example, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and Parti Liberal Demokratik (LDP), when they contested alone, failed to win any seats.
"The people also evaluate who can form a government," he said, when asked whether STAR and SAPP's decision to run independently (exiting GRS) might bring advantages to the local parties.
Yesterday, GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun confirmed that STAR and SAPP would contest under their own logos, thereby ending their membership in GRS.
He noted that any party deciding to run under their own symbol would automatically lose membership in GRS.
As a result of STAR and SAPP's exit, only six parties now remain in GRS: Gagasan Rakyat, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), USNO, LDP, PCS, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS).
Lee acknowledged that the absence of STAR from GRS would weaken the coalition's machinery in the state elections, especially in gaining support from Kadazan‑Dusun and Murut (KDM) voters.
However, he noted that STAR's independent move offers freedom in candidate placement, no longer constrained by GRS agreements.
"GRS loses some capacity to attract KDM votes, because more members naturally mean strength. Still, this might be beneficial for both sides," he said.
He added that STAR's departure also allows other GRS parties to claim a larger share of candidate allocations.
He also said that moving independently often positions a party as a "spoiler" — splitting votes — and seldom leads to a dominant victory.
"Winning big is unlikely, given the highly fragmented political landscape, and KDM support itself is no longer monolithic," he said.
At present, STAR holds six state assembly seats (DUN) — three in the Keningau parliamentary area, two in Pensiangan, and one in Ranau, all in majority KDM constituencies. - NST

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