The five leaders are STAR’s non-Muslim deputy president Ellron Alfred Angin, his Muslim Bumiputera counterpart Robert Tawik, and three vice-presidents: Abidin Madingkir, Annuar Ayub, and Flovia Ng.

In a joint statement, they said that political stability and continuity of development were priorities under the GRS-led government.

“Therefore, we uphold the mandate and trust that the people have placed in us.

“As such, we stand firm in our decision to remain with GRS and to defend our seats under the GRS banner, as a mark of loyalty to the people’s mandate and for Sabah’s stability,” they said.

They also said that any decision concerning the party’s direction should be discussed carefully and thoughtfully in the interest of the people and the state.

Kitingan had said that the status of the five, who continued supporting GRS despite the party’s withdrawal from the coalition, would be decided at a special meeting today.

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.

Kitingan led STAR out of GRS after insisting that the ruling state 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.