“We were waiting for (Upko) to announce their candidates, but ours was already planned (for today),” STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan said, according to The Borneo Post.

“We will have a discussion tomorrow,” he said, while confirming that STAR and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) were working together for the polls.

Upko decided to leave Pakatan Harapan on Monday, citing a misalignment between the party and other PH components concerning Sabah’s entitlement to 40% of federal revenue derived from the state, among other issues.

Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang also claimed that PKR had unilaterally decided on PH’s election preparation despite supposedly granting autonomy to the coalition’s state chapter.

Upko president Ewon Benedick was Sabah PH chairman before the party’s exit.

STAR plans to field 40 candidates in the state election, while SAPP will contest in six seats.

The two parties had left the ruling coalition, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, last month.