STAR’s non-Muslim Bumiputera deputy president Ellron Alfred Angin confirmed that his Muslim Bumiputera counterpart in the party, Robert Tawik, was also sticking with GRS in the state polls.

STAR has three deputy president posts, with one allocated to each of the communities — non-Muslim Bumiputera, Muslim Bumiputera and Chinese.

“Our party president Jeffrey Kitingan should have known this (would happen). We will issue a joint statement later,” he said according to Sabah-based Kupikupi FM.

Tawik, who represented the Bingkor constituency for two terms, is also state assistant works minister.

Earlier today, Ellron and three STAR vice-presidents — Abidin Madingkir, Annuar Ayub and Flovia Ng — joined chief minister Hajiji Noor at a press conference as he announced the state assembly’s dissolution, paving the way for the 17th state election.

Abidin and Ng are also assistant ministers in the state government.

Tawik did not attend today’s press conference with Hajiji as he is said to be unwell.

All five STAR leaders are reportedly set to apply to become direct GRS members so that they can run for election on the coalition’s ticket.

When asked about the presence of the four STAR assemblymen, Hajiji said they had told him they would support GRS in the state polls.

Kitingan had led STAR out of GRS after insisting that the ruling state coalition should not proceed with its electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan.