Four Star assemblymen join Hajiji event as speculation grows over party’s GRS exit
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 6 — As government representatives arrived for a gathering with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor today, some familiar faces stood out among the crowd.
Hajiji is expected to announce the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly later today.
Four of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Sabah’s (Star) six assemblymen were also in attendance, despite widespread belief that the party had quit the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition last week.
Liawan assemblyman Datuk Annuar Ayob, Sook’s Datuk Ellron Angian, Paginatan’s Datuk Abidin Madingkir and Tulid’s Datuk Flovia Ng were seen at the event but were coy about their reasons for being there.
All four hold government-appointed positions as assistant ministers or in government-linked companies.
However, Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Robert Tawik and party president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Tambunan assemblyman, were not present.
Kitingan, who serves as deputy chief minister, was also invited but is currently in Kuala Lumpur.
When approached, Annuar and Abidin said they were attending as a formality in their capacity as members of the government.
GRS secretary-general Datuk Masidi Manjun had earlier said that Star and the Sabah Progressive Party had effectively left the coalition after indicating their intention to contest under their own logos.
However, Kitingan has yet to officially confirm the party’s exit, leaving questions over Star’s current status within GRS.
