STAR, SAPP To Contest Sabah Polls Under Own Logos, Exit Grs Coalition

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) are set to go it alone in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election after confirming they will contest under their respective party logos instead of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) symbol.

The move effectively places both parties outside of the GRS coalition, following a decision by the GRS Supreme Council that any component party contesting under its own logo will no longer be part of the coalition.

GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the matter was resolved in a nearly two-hour meeting last night, chaired by GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and attended by coalition party presidents.

He said STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee informed the meeting of their decision, which they explained was driven by their unwillingness to be bound by seat allocation arrangements being finalised between GRS and Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“This means STAR and SAPP may be contesting in constituencies where PH candidates will also be fielded. The GRS chairman (Hajiji) reminded all component parties that they must respect the cooperation agreement previously announced with PH,” Masidi said.

Besides STAR and SAPP, GRS comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), United Sabah National Organisation (USNO), Liberal Democratic Party of Sabah (LDP), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat), and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS).

The 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to dissolve automatically on Nov 11 unless dissolved earlier.

Masidi said Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat president, stressed during the meeting that in the spirit of unity, GRS should move as one entity, with all candidates contesting under the coalition’s common symbol.

However, he added that Hajiji and other GRS leaders respected the decision by STAR and SAPP to contest solo.

“With that decision, STAR and SAPP’s membership in GRS automatically ceases,” Masidi said. 

He said the meeting was conducted in a cordial and frank manner, with all leaders accepting the outcome in the spirit of healthy democracy, despite differing views.

“GRS will continue to strengthen its machinery and refine its strategy for the upcoming Sabah election, with full commitment to stability and the well-being of the state,” he said.

-- BERNAMA