STAR’s Exit from GRS: Much Ado About Nothing?

The departure of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) from Sabah’s incumbent Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition on 2 October 2025 marks another turning point in the state’s ever-evolving political environment. Coming just five days before the dissolution of the state legislative assembly to make way for the 17th state election on 29 November, STAR’s exit shows the volatility of Sabah politics — and signals that more realignments may unfold as the state heads to the polls. But it is too early to surmise that the departure would have significant political ramifications. 

For context, STAR parted ways with GRS over the coalition’s decision to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan (PH), comprising Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO). UPKO left the PH coalition on 10 November. STAR insisted that GRS should contest the election solo and, if any pact with PH were unavoidable, PH should be limited to contesting no more than seven seats, far fewer than the more than 20 it is reportedly seeking.

STAR, which holds six seats, is the third largest party in the 73-seat assembly, trailing Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) with seven seats and Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan) with 26 seats. The political impact of STAR’s departure might be limited, given that five of its six assemblymen are staying in GRS. STAR’s withdrawal disrupts the internal dynamics of GRS and raises important questions about whether the coalition risks losing crucial indigenous Kadazandusun support.

STAR derives much of its support from the Kadazandusun community, which comprises approximately 20 per cent of Sabah’s population. Alongside PBS, it has played a central role in anchoring Kadazandusun representation within GRS. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between PBS and STAR in April 2024 was a milestone, symbolising their collective influence in Kadazandusun-majority areas. For many in the community, this unity recalled the political ascendancy of the 1980s under PBS, when Kadazandusun leaders held the reins of power. 

The historical weight of this partnership cannot be underestimated. The founding president of PBS, Joseph Pairin Kitingan, is still revered as the Huguan Siou — the paramount leader of the Kadazandusun. His younger brother, STAR’s president Jeffrey Kitingan, was once a key figure in PBS and is widely regarded as its ideological architect. Jeffrey’s arrest under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the 1990s, linked to his regionalist stance and alleged secessionist ambitions, further entrenched his image as a political icon. While supporters see him as a visionary, his critics perceive him as a political maverick.

… while STAR’s exit is symbolically significant, it is unlikely to cause a widespread surge of Kadazandusun sentiment towards it or spell an immediate collapse of GRS.

With STAR’s departure, GRS loses one of its main conduits to Kadazandusun voters. Gagasan, the lead party in GRS helmed by caretaker Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, lacks a strong Kadazandusun base and relies on PBS and STAR to win support from this community. Now, with only PBS left, GRS’ hold on the Kadazandusun vote is increasingly tenuous, as the coalition’s other component parties primarily focus on Muslim Bumiputera and mixed constituencies.

PBS, however, is not without its challenges. Acting party president Joachim Gunsalam is embroiled in an ongoing mining controversy and lacks the traditional gravitas that Pairin or Jeffrey hold within the Kadazandusun community. Joachim is also under internal pressure, as some party members are considering leaving the party in protest over PBS’ decision not to follow STAR’s lead. 

While Pairin, who is now PBS’ premier advisor, reportedly supports contesting solo, the rest of the leadership sees strategic value in remaining within GRS, particularly in terms of maintaining federal support and leveraging incumbency advantages in rural constituencies. Their past experience of being isolated by the Mahathir-led federal government in the 1980s remains a cautionary tale.

At the joint PBS-STAR convention in July 2025, delegates showed significant grassroots support for contesting solo. Yet, STAR’s departure may not automatically translate into a surge of Kadazandusun support for the party. While Jeffrey has long championed the “Sabah for Sabahans” cause, not all Kadazandusun voters resonate with this message or remain loyal to STAR. 

Given that five of its six assemblymen remain in GRS, STAR is now without critical on-the-ground party machinery, reducing its organisational strength and outreach. This defection shows that many STAR supporters are more loyal to their local representatives than to the party or its ideology. 

Meanwhile, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM), led by Kudat MP and Bandau assemblyman Wetrom Bahanda, may stand to gain. Disillusioned Kadazandusun youth are increasingly viewing PBS and STAR as stagnant and dominated by entrenched elites, lacking the fresh leadership and innovative ideas needed to advance Kadazandusun interests. If PKDM capitalises on this momentum by fielding strong Kadazandusun candidates in constituencies traditionally held by PBS and STAR, it could disrupt their dominance and provide a fresh alternative. The party currently holds one state assembly seat. 

It would be a mistake to assume that Kadazandusun voters constitute a homogenous bloc or that they vote solely based on ethnicity or the “Sabah for Sabahans” narrative. Within the community, different sub-ethnic groups maintain distinct cultural and political identities. Bread-and-butter issues — development, job opportunities, infrastructure, and access to services — remain top priorities, especially in rural areas. 

Thus, while STAR’s exit is symbolically significant, it is unlikely to cause a widespread surge of Kadazandusun sentiment towards it or spell an immediate collapse of GRS. The impact will hinge on GRS’ ability to field credible candidates, deliver on local concerns, and manage perceptions of coalition unity. Similarly, STAR’s challenge will be to rebuild its machinery, prove its relevance beyond Jeffrey’s legacy, and connect with a younger and more critical electorate. The next few weeks will reveal whether STAR’s departure is a catalyst for political renewal or merely another episode in Sabah’s ever-shifting coalition politics.

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