PBS, STAR maintain support for Hajiji as Sabah CM

The state assemblymen from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) today reiterated their support for Chief Minister Hajiji Noor to continue leading the state.

PBS deputy president Joachim Gunsalam said the party and its assemblymen remained solidly behind Hajiji, adding that there was no need for a vote of confidence in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman in the Sabah state assembly.

"I am 110% sure PBS still supports the leadership of Hajiji Noor (as chief minister). I think there is no necessity (for a vote of confidence) but if it is required, I'm sure we will win," he told reporters in Kota Kinabalu.

Yesterday, GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun said GRS was ready to prove that Hajiji still had majority support in the state assembly following reports that certain parties were claiming to have secured enough support to form a new state government.

STAR deputy president Ellron Angin also made clear the party’s support for Hajiji.

"As far as STAR is concerned, our assemblymen are all for Hajiji. We are faithful to him," he said.

PBS and STAR are component parties of GRS, which also includes the Sabah Progressive Party and United Sabah National Organisation.

The Sabah state assembly has 79 assemblymen, 73 of whom were elected and six appointed.

The Sabah government currently has the support of 59 assemblymen comprising 29 from GRS, 17 from Barisan Nasional, seven from Pakatan Harapan, three from Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, one from Parti Bangsa Malaysia, one from Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah and one independent.