Grs Revokes Star Sapp Membership Over Logo Dispute Kitingan Confirms Exit

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Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has revoked the membership of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP), with Star president Jeffrey Kitingan confirming his party’s exit from the coalition.
GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun said it was an automatic termination following the duo’s decision to contest the upcoming state polls under their own party symbols.
In a statement today, Masidi said that an “open and sincere discussion” lasting nearly two hours yesterday, chaired by GRS chairperson Hajiji Noor, resolved that any component party choosing to field candidates under its own symbol would be considered exiting GRS.
As such, candidates from those parties would no longer represent GRS in the Sabah election.
“The GRS chairperson, who is also president of Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, together with the presidents of other component parties -Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) - respected the decision of Star and SAPP to contest independently in the 17th state election.
“As a result of this decision, Star and SAPP’s membership in GRS has automatically ceased,” Masidi said.
Star president Jeffrey KitinganWhen contacted, Kitingan said his party was no longer a member of the coalition.
“(The decision was) already confirmed at the GRS meeting itself… but I will make a statement if need be,” he added.
‘Principle of unity’
In his statement today, Masidi said that the main agenda of the meeting yesterday was to discuss and review preparations for GRS’ campaign machinery ahead of the state election, including negotiations on seat allocations between GRS and Pakatan Harapan.
He said that during the discussion, Kitingan and SAPP president Yong Teck Lee had conveyed their parties’ intention to contest under their own logos.
SAPP president Yong Teck Lee“They explained that this decision was made because they did not wish to be bound by the seat allocation formula that would be finalised between GRS and Harapan,” Masidi said.
He added that at the meeting, Hajiji also reminded all component parties that they must honour the cooperation agreement previously announced with Harapan.
“He further emphasised that, based on the principle of unity, GRS must move forward as a single entity, with all GRS candidates contesting under the same symbol, the GRS logo, in the 17th state election,” Masidi said.
He added that both Kitingan and Yong had stated that they respected the stance of other component parties, which chose to remain in GRS and continue their strategic cooperation with Harapan.
“The meeting was conducted in a spirit of goodwill, cordiality, sincerity, and openness. All leaders present accepted the decision reached through consensus, while respecting differences of opinion in the spirit of a healthy and mature democracy,” Masidi said.
Bow to Harapan, I’ll leave
In a recent interview with Malaysiakini, Kitingan delivered an ultimatum to GRS, warning he will exit the ruling coalition if it continues granting concessions to Harapan in the upcoming state election.
He said GRS was now being perceived as bowing to national parties, a move he argued ran counter to the wishes of Sabah voters who wanted a local-led political force.
GRS’ ties with Harapan stem from the federal coalition government forged after the 2022 general election, in which Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim secured support from Borneo blocs to stabilise his administration.
For Hajiji, maintaining that alliance ensures both federal funding and political survival. But Kitingan, who is the Keningau MP, argued that this comes at the expense of Sabah’s autonomy. - Mkini

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