Five STAR Assemblymen Quit Party in Major Blow to Jeffrey Kitingan’s Leadership Ahead of Sabah Polls
By Mohd Khairy Abdullah @ DG Henry
KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), October 6, 2025 — In a dramatic turn of events, five state assemblymen (ADUN) from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) have quit the party and pledged their support for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, in what is widely seen as the biggest political setback yet for STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
The move comes amid Dr Jeffrey’s recent signal that STAR might leave GRS over his objection to the coalition’s ongoing cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN-17).
STAR deputy president Datuk Ellron Angin, who also represents Sook, led the exit along with four other assemblymen — Datuk Flovia Ng (Tulid), Datuk Annuar Ayob (Liawan), Robert Tawiq (Bingkor) and Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan). The group declared their intent to remain aligned with GRS in the interest of political stability and continuity of state development.
“We no longer wish to be trapped in political uncertainty. Our focus now is on stability and the continuity of development for the people of Sabah,” Ellron said in a statement to the media following the official dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
The decision has stunned political observers, as the five assemblymen were considered key grassroots pillars of STAR’s strength across interior constituencies. Their move signals a deepening internal rift within the party and raises serious questions about Dr Jeffrey’s grip on his own leadership base.
According to sources, the decision was made after a meeting of GRS component leaders held last night at the official residence of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at Sri Gaya. Dr Jeffrey was absent due to parliamentary duties in Kuala Lumpur, while Robert Tawiq reportedly missed the meeting for health reasons.
During the meeting, Hajiji — who is also the GRS chairman — issued a firm reminder that any component party choosing to contest under its own logo in the coming election would face immediate removal from the coalition.
That firm stance is believed to have been the catalyst for Ellron and his colleagues’ decision to quit STAR and align themselves with GRS. The move not only consolidates GRS’s position ahead of PRN-17 but also underscores growing confidence in Hajiji’s leadership as a stabilising force in Sabah politics.
Political analysts view the development as a potential turning point for Sabah’s political landscape, where pragmatic leadership and stability appear to be overtaking party loyalty as the defining theme of the coming state polls. The defection of Ellron and his group is expected to weaken STAR’s foothold in Sabah’s interior regions and set the stage for a reshaped power map ahead of one of the state’s most competitive elections in recent years.
