THE ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition is facing a serious political blow following the decision by two of its key component parties – Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) – to withdraw and contest independently in the looming state election.
UMNO’s War Room Secretariat Chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan described the development as a political advantage for the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, as both prepare for the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17), widely expected to be called in the coming weeks.
“This latest development clearly benefits BN, which has been preparing well in advance for all eventualities, including a possible snap election,” said Ahmad. “Our machinery is ready – not at the last minute.”
STAR and SAPP made their exit official on Thursday, following a meeting of the GRS Presidential Council chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at Sri Gaya. The two-hour meeting was also attended by presidents of all GRS component parties.
The exit has fuelled mounting speculation that the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) may be dissolved as early as Monday, 6 October. DUN Sabah is due to dissolve automatically on 11 November unless an earlier dissolution is announced, paving the way for PRN17.
Meanwhile, in a show of unity, Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional have agreed to avoid contesting against one another in the upcoming polls. DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke said the coalition would adhere to the principle that incumbent parties will retain the right to contest their respective seats.
“This is a basic understanding between PH and BN – if a seat is currently held by BN, PH will respect that, and vice versa,” Loke said during the DAP Perak Convention in Ipoh on Sunday, where he was joined by Perak DAP Chairman Nga Kor Ming.
He added that this approach is intended to ensure a smooth and harmonious seat negotiation process in Sabah, strengthening the long-term partnership between the two coalitions.
Responding to past incidents of defection in Sabah, Loke stressed that DAP is not overly concerned, as the party has strengthened its constitution and can rely on the Anti-Party Hopping Act to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“Our party constitution clearly states that if a candidate wins under the party banner and defects, they automatically lose their membership – and therefore, their seat,” he said.
He expressed confidence in DAP’s younger leaders in Sabah, who he believes will remain loyal and committed to strengthening the PH-BN alliance.
In the previous 16th Sabah state election, DAP contested seven seats and won six: Luyang, Likas, Kapayan, Sri Tanjong, Elopura and Tanjong Papat. However, two of its assemblymen later defected to join Parti Warisan in 2022. - October 5, 2025
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