STAR Bandau Stands Firm with GRS, Reaffirms Support for Hajiji’s Leadership

Ardino (front row, sixth from left) with the STAR Bandau Division leadership showing their support for Hajiji and GRS.

12 October 2025

BANDAU: The Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) Division Chief for N.6 Bandau, Ardino Diris, has taken a bold stand by announcing that he and more than half of the STAR Bandau Division Committee members will remain in support of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), despite the party’s top leadership deciding to withdraw from the coalition.

According to Ardino, the decision to continue supporting GRS was not an easy one, given his nearly two-decade-long struggle alongside STAR President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan since 2006, both at the state and parliamentary levels in Marudu.

“I am pleased that the fight for Sabah’s rights, championed by Dr Jeffrey and Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee, has now become a shared cause among all local political parties, as well as non-governmental organisations and individuals who love this state.

“I am proud to have been part of that journey,” he said after chairing the STAR Bandau Division Committee meeting here on Sunday.

Ardino reaffirmed that he and the STAR Bandau leadership remain fully committed to supporting Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, whom he described as having successfully brought many positive changes and fulfilled much of Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) framework.

“GRS is more than just a political coalition—it embodies the aspirations of the people of Sabah who want to see local parties united under one formal platform to govern the state with balance and stability,” he said.

Among the division leaders who shared the same stand were Vice Chiefs Okiong Gintotok and Jappri Taising; Division Secretary Helney Johari; Treasurer Jennifer Mampahau; Organising Secretary Kahil Masnting; and Information Chief Felix Kain.

Also present were Division Committee Members Jastin Ingkal, Dul Surugau, Lirus Galanang, Roy Chong, S. Mardi Bakri, and Internal Auditor Inglis Bakorta, along with Bureau Chiefs and 53 of the 71 STAR Bandau Branch Chiefs who expressed solidarity with the decision.

Ardino also expressed his gratitude to Dr Jeffrey Kitingan for his guidance and the valuable experience gained throughout his years in STAR.

“I deeply appreciate the experiences, both good and challenging, that I’ve had in STAR, and I thank the party president for the trust and opportunities given to me over the years,” he said.

When asked about his status as STAR Central Deputy Information Chief and STAR N.6 Bandau Division Chief, Ardino said he would leave the matter to the party leadership’s discretion.

“I will let the leadership decide according to the party’s constitution,” he said briefly.