Kitingan said the new pact, dubbed Gerakan Sabah Baharu, would involve a line-up of local Sabahan parties and field candidates committed to forming a Sabah government based on the “Sabah for Sabahans” vision.

He added that “many leaders” had voiced their intention to join this alliance.

The former GRS deputy chairman also said that STAR would be open to working with West Malaysian parties after the state polls for the sake of political stability.

“Despite our ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ narrative, STAR is open to cooperating with federal or Malayan parties for the sake of political stability after the 17th state election.

“However, we will not work under their orders. Any cooperation (with West Malaysian parties) will be based on respect and a genuine partnership in Malaysia, without sacrificing the rights and autonomy of Sabah,” he said in a statement last night.

Kitingan also said his new alliance would contest the 16th general election (GE16) to ensure that Sabah has a strong voice in Parliament.

Last week, Kitingan led STAR out of GRS after insisting that the coalition should not proceed with its electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan, a move which he said went against the wishes of grassroots members who wanted locally led representation.

However, five of STAR’s six assemblymen decided to continue backing GRS in the upcoming polls: party deputy presidents Ellron Alfred Angin and Robert Tawik and vice-presidents Abidin Madingkir, Annuar Ayub and Flovia Ng.

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.