Kota Kinabalu: Star (Parti Solidariti Tanah Air Ku) – which together with Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) pulled out of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-PH State Government last Thursday – received a major blow on the day the 17th State Election was called when five elected representatives declared their continued support for GRS.
Star Deputy President Datuk Ellron Angin confirmed he and the four have decided to support the coalition led by caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as GRS direct members.
Three of them – Paginatan Assemblyman Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Liawan Assemblyman Datuk Annuar Ayub Aman and Tulid Assemblywoman Datuk Flovia Ng –attended the press conference called by Hajiji to announce the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly, Monday.
Ellron said Bingkor Assemblyman Datuk Robert Tawik could not attend due to ill health. “But he is supporting GRS”.
He said their decision reflects their support for the coalition’s leadership and direction.
“After Star made that decision (pullout), we left the party and decided to support GRS,” he said. He confirmed they would contest under the GRS logo in the election.
“Yes, I am a GRS direct member together with the four,” he said. Dr Jeffrey said he pulled Star out of GRS because the coalition decided to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan (PH), insisting that peninsula-led parties have no business to be in Sabah.
Jeffrey’s announcement coincided with a video released by businessman Albert Tei alleging bribes amounting to RM1.7 million paid to Jeffrey, among others, to seek his influence to make Hajiji reverse a decision to ban mining activities.