Kota kinabalu: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, has firmly stated that his party will not join the state government led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). Instead, STAR will continue to act as a responsible opposition party.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jeffrey, who won the Tambunan seat in the 17th Sabah State Election, reaffirmed STAR’s consistent stance, which advocates for the governance of Sabah by local parties. He emphasized their commitment to supporting policies that protect Sabah’s interests and opposing any actions that undermine the Malaysia Agreement 1963, the Constitution, or Sabah’s rights.

In the 17th Sabah State Election, GRS secured 29 out of the 73 contested seats, while Parti Warisan obtained 25 seats, Barisan Nasional won six, Independent candidates took five, UPKO gained three, and STAR achieved two. Perikatan Nasional, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, and Pakatan Harapan each garnered one seat.

Early Sunday morning, GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of Sabah. Nine other assemblymen also took their oaths as State Cabinet members before Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman at Istana Seri Kinabalu.

The newly sworn-in Sabah Cabinet includes eight representatives from GRS: Hajiji, Datuk Joachim Gunsalam, Datuk Masidi Manjun, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Datuk James Ratib, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, Datuk Rubin Balang, and Julita Majungki. Additionally, Datuk Ewon Benedick of UPKO, Datuk Jafry Ariffin (BN), and Jamawi Jaafar (PH) were appointed as Cabinet members.