Two Star Deputy Presidents Three Reps Defy Kitingan To Back Grs

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Five incumbent Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) assemblypersons have declared their support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), distancing themselves from party president Jeffrey Kitingan’s decision to go solo in the coming state polls.
Caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor confirmed that Star deputy presidents Ellron Angin (Sook) and Robert Tawik (Bingkor), as well as Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan), Annuar Ayub (Liawan), Flovia Ng (Tulid) had chosen to stand with GRS despite their party’s automatic expulsion from the coalition after opting to use its own logo.
“If they contest under their own logo, they are automatically out of GRS. But these five have made it clear they are with us, not with Kitingan,” Hajiji said after announcing the dissolution of the state assembly at Menara Kinabalu today.
"What happens after the election will be determined by the people,” Hajiji added.
Of the five, only Tawik was absent, believed to be due to health reasons.
Hajiji emphasised that GRS would not prevent Star or any other party from taking their own path.
“If they use their own logo, they are no longer GRS and will contest against us,” he said.
GRS chief Hajiji NoorTurning to Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Hajiji struck a contrasting tone, describing the coalition as “solid and stable” with PBS firmly on board.
“With our component partners, especially PBS, GRS will continue as a united coalition in Sabah,” he added.
Kitingan’s influence waning?
The five incumbents’ move raises questions about Kitingan’s hold over his party and whether he will be forced to find replacement candidates for these seats.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the five will be fielded as official GRS candidates in the upcoming state election.
Star president Jeffrey KitinganKitingan had moved to split with GRS, ostensibly over disagreements with the coalition cooperating with peninsula-based Pakatan Harapan.
Kitingan, Hajiji and many other incumbent assemblypersons are battling corruption allegations in relation to mineral exploration projects in the state.
Two of the five Star rebels - Ellron and Tawik - are also accused of taking RM500,000 and RM300,000 in bribes, respectively, from businessperson Albert Tei. Ellron has denied the allegations. - Mkini

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