Kota Kinabalu: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) Tanjung Aru Division chief Hiew Choon Yu announced his resignation from the party, leading the majority of his divisional committee members to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) .
He said this is a move he frames as a direct commitment to placing the people’s interests at the heart of his public service.
In a statement , Hiew emphasised that stepping away from Star is not a break from his political and community service vows, but rather a strategic shift to a platform that enables him to prioritize the people’s needs more effectively.
With decades of on-the-ground experience engaging with Tanjung Aru residents, Hiew shared a profound realization that prompted his decision: “Genuine, impactful service can only happen when you have direct access to the grassroots, can listen broadly to public voices, and have the capacity to turn legitimate demands into tangible action.”
He noted that his previous platform had limited his ability to act swiftly on community concerns, from basic infrastructure needs to economic support for local families.
At the core of his service philosophy – which he describes as “Listen with sincerity, execute with action, and solve problems with professionalism” – Hiew insists that all decisions must be rooted in the people’s best interests.
This principle, he said, led him to choose GRS as his new political home, citing its reputation for an open, action-oriented environment that allows leaders to work closely with communities without rigid bureaucratic barriers.
“I will not let the platform define my commitment – whether in Star or GRS, my motivation remains the same: to be a genuine, diligent public servant who stays close to the people,” Hiew pledged.
