Kota kinabalu: Deputy president of Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (STAR), Datuk Ellron Angin, along with three other STAR state assemblymen, have declared their continued support for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, according to GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji revealed that the assemblymen personally informed him of their decision to back GRS following STAR president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan's announcement last week to withdraw the party from the coalition.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hajiji stated during a special press conference at Menara Kinabalu that the assemblymen had directly communicated their support for GRS. The assemblymen include Datuk Ellron Angin from Sook, Datuk Flovia Ng from Tulid, Datuk Abidin Madingkir from Paginatan, and Datuk Annuar Ayub from Liawan.

Hajiji made these remarks after announcing the dissolution of the 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly to pave the way for the 17th State Election, which was approved by Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman. The upcoming election will see 73 seats contested.

Last Thursday, GRS secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun announced that STAR and Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) would participate in the forthcoming State Election using their respective party logos instead of the GRS symbol. This decision effectively positions both parties outside the GRS coalition, following a ruling by the GRS Presidential Council that any component party contesting under its own logo will no longer be part of the coalition.

When queried about the potential for GRS, particularly its component party Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), to face candidates from STAR and SAPP in the upcoming election, Hajiji expressed confidence in the coalition's readiness to compete.