STAR information chief Anuar Ghani said this was excessive and contrary to the sentiments of Sabahans, in seeking to justify the party’s departure from GRS.

Anuar said STAR unanimously supported party president Jeffrey Kitingan’s decision to go solo at the polls, as this was the best way to defend the aspirations of the people of Sabah.

He said STAR could not support any cooperation between GRS and PH, or GRS and Barisan Nasional.

“STAR had stressed that if GRS chooses to go solo, we will be together (in GRS). But if GRS chooses to cooperate with PH, STAR cannot support this because it runs against the desires of the majority of Sabahans,” he said in a statement.

Anuar said STAR wanted to ensure that the Sabah government was led by local parties without external interference, to defend the Bornean state’s dignity and sovereignty.

“We believe that contesting solo is the best decision for the people, in line with the struggle to uphold ‘Justice for Sabah’ and to ensure ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ truly becomes a reality,” he said.

Yesterday, GRS confirmed that STAR and the Sabah Progressive Party had left the coalition over their disagreement with the electoral pact with PH.