GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun said this followed nearly two hours of discussions at the coalition’s presidential council meeting yesterday.

At the meeting, STAR and SAPP had insisted on contesting under their respective banners in the upcoming state election, particularly fielding candidates against Pakatan Harapan.

Masidi said GRS was however firm that the pact reached with PH must be respected.

“STAR and SAPP said their decision was final and that it was because they did not want to be tied down by the seat distribution finalised between GRS and PH.

“GRS chairman Hajiji Noor reminded that all GRS components need to respect the alliance agreed with PH before this.

“He also said that, on the basis of unity, GRS must contest as one entity with all candidates vying under the GRS banner.

“After open and sincere discussions for nearly two hours, it was decided that any component that decides to field candidates under its own party emblem is deemed to have left GRS. Its candidates do not represent GRS in the state election.

“The GRS chairman and presidents of the other components respect STAR and SAPP’s decision to go solo in the state polls. With that, their GRS memberships are terminated,” Masidi said in a statement.

When asked whether STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan would cease to be a deputy chief minister, he told FMT that this was up to Hajiji, who is also Sabah chief minister.