Kitingan said the viral TikTok video clip of him suggesting otherwise had been misinterpreted and taken out of context, The Daily Express reported.

“The clip was part of a conversation during our party’s anniversary event, where I was asked what STAR would do if GRS were forced to work with Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

“In that context, I said, ‘Yes, we will leave GRS, but remain in government’. But the video only captured that line without the background,” he said.

Kitingan, who is also a Sabah deputy chief minister, reaffirmed STAR’s commitment to GRS, of which it is a founding member.

Yesterday, GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai also rubbished rumours that STAR is planning to quit the ruling state coalition.

He said the leaders of all eight GRS components, including Kitingan, had met coalition chairman Hajiji Noor on Monday, where they affirmed their commitment to GRS.

“They were unanimous in that they must not only remain together but further strengthen GRS,” he said.

GRS’s eight component parties include Hajiji’s Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and STAR.

Gagasan Rakyat has 26 seats in the Sabah legislative assembly, while PBS and STAR have seven and six seats, respectively.

Separately, STAR communications director Jalumin Bayogoh said the party is lodging a police report over a news portal’s article allegedly linking the party to the Sabah mineral licence case involving businessman Albert Tei.

“That report is false and defamatory. We will not tolerate such slander,” he said.