A political analyst has cautioned that Jeffrey Kitingan’s threat to withdraw Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition could fracture his party, as some leaders and members may opt to remain with the ruling state coalition. Lee Kuok Tiung from Universiti Malaysia Sabah highlighted that GRS’s provision for “direct membership” could enable a significant portion of STAR’s supporters and assemblymen to stay loyal to the coalition, even if Kitingan exits.
“If STAR leaves GRS at this point, it will only cause a split in the party as a portion of its supporters and assemblymen will remain with GRS through ‘direct membership’ under the coalition,” Lee told FMT. He questioned the timing of Kitingan’s ultimatum, noting that STAR has worked comfortably within GRS until now. “All this time they have been comfortable working with GRS, so why would they suddenly want to leave at the last minute?” he asked, casting doubt on STAR’s ability to contest the upcoming state election independently or secure new allies.
Assemblymen’s Loyalty in Question
Awang Azman Pawi from Universiti Mal’aya echoed Lee’s concerns, questioning whether Kitingan could secure the support of all six STAR assemblymen to exit GRS. “It depends on the willingness of the assemblymen to fall in line, the political pressure or deals GRS or Pakatan Harapan (PH) can offer, as well as the political cost of leaving GRS,” he said. Kitingan, the GRS deputy chairman, announced yesterday that STAR would leave the coalition if it proceeded with its electoral pact with PH, citing grassroots sentiment. He vowed to “go alone” if other STAR leaders and assemblymen disagreed with his decision.
Awang Azman suggested that Kitingan might be overestimating his influence, despite his prominence as a five-term MP with strong ties to Sabah’s Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) community. He noted that Kitingan’s rhetoric of resisting “West Malaysian interference” and championing a “Sabah first” narrative might resonate with some voters, but STAR’s limited organisational capacity could hinder its success in multi-cornered contests. “Voters sitting on the fence would be more pragmatic, assessing candidates based on development or their links to the federal government for their area’s progress,” he added.
Strategic Risks and Opportunities
While STAR could defend some seats and establish itself as a “strong minor player” in certain constituencies, Awang Azman cautioned that forming a state government independently would be a formidable challenge. However, he acknowledged that Kitingan’s threat to leave GRS was not mere posturing. “It reflects a willingness to bear the political cost on his own,” he said, referencing Kitingan’s repeated hints at exiting GRS over issues affecting Sabah’s autonomy.
Awang Azman also suggested that STAR could contest the state polls independently as a tactical move to appeal to voters opposed to the GRS-PH pact, while potentially rejoining GRS post-election. This strategy could bolster STAR’s appeal among those prioritizing Sabah’s interests without fully severing ties with the coalition.
Kitingan’s Ultimatum and GRS’s Response
Kitingan stated he would raise his concerns at GRS’s presidential council meeting held last night, emphasizing grassroots opposition to the coalition’s pact with PH. As the state election approaches, the potential departure of STAR could reshape Sabah’s political landscape, with analysts warning of both internal divisions and strategic challenges for Kitingan’s party.
