PBS to Lead Election Drive for STAR Incumbents

9 October 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has pledged its full support and offered to lead the election machinery for five incumbent Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) assemblymen who have chosen to remain with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

PBS Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the decision was reached during the PBS Political Bureau meeting chaired by Acting President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam today.

He said the acting president had instructed PBS divisions in the five constituencies — Sook, Bingkor, Paginatan, Liawan, and Tulid — to begin discussions with the incumbent assemblymen, Datuk Ellron Angin, Datuk Robert Tawik, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Datuk Annuar Ayub, and Datuk Flovia Ng. The five had decided to remain with GRS after STAR announced it would contest independently in the coming state election.

“These constituencies are areas where PBS has a strong and active grassroots presence,” Joniston said.

“The party believes that by pooling resources and working together on the ground, GRS can maintain its momentum and strengthen voters’ confidence in the upcoming state election,” he added.

Joniston, who is also GRS Information Chief, said PBS has long enjoyed good cooperation with the five incumbents at the grassroots level and will continue to work closely with them in the true spirit of GRS unity.

He emphasised that PBS’s support is founded on the understanding that cooperation and mutual trust among GRS component parties are vital to sustaining political stability and delivering development for the people.

“Our decision stems from a shared responsibility to uphold the trust and confidence that the people have placed in GRS, and to continue what we have built together for the benefit of our communities,” he said.