Two Sabah elected reps quit Upko, become independents friendly to Perikatan Nasional
KOTA KINABALU: Two assemblymen from the United Kinabalu Progressive Organisation (Upko) aligned with the Sabah state government have declared that they are quitting the party with immediate effect.
Kuala Penyu assemblyman Datuk Limus Jury and Sugut assemblyman Datuk James Ratib have announced that they are now independent elected representatives and support Perikatan Nasional (PN), which is in power at federal level, for the sake of development in their constituencies.
They made the announcement during a press conference held at the residence of Limus at Jalan Pintas in Penampang near here, in the presence of several of their supporters.
Limus had been Upko vicepresident and headed the Upko Beaufort Division, while James had been a member of the Upko Supreme Council.
Limus said they had lost confidence in Upko leadership, which they claimed had been inconsistent in terms of its struggle and objectives.
Despite the latest political development, Parti Warisan Sabah remains in power in the state.
The government bloc in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly comprises 45 representatives, including four nominated assemblymen, while the opposition bloc has 20 including one nominated assemblyman who had crossed over.
The Assembly currently has a total of 65 reps, including the five nominated assemblymen, giving a simple majority of 33. The government bloc comprises Warisan, with 31 reps, DAP (six), Upko (two), PKR (two) and four nominated assemblymen.
The opposition bloc consists of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) with nine representatives, Parti Bersatu Sabah (four), STAR (three), Independent (two), Umno
(one) and one nominated assemblyman.
“For the moment, I will be an independent assemblyman and champion the interests of my constituents. A er considering the matter deeply and rationally, I figured that the best move would be to leave Upko for the sake of the good, progress and future of my constituents,” said Limus, who had been with the party for over 20 years.
He said the party was no longer in line with the federal government led by PN, adding that it would be improper for him and his allies to remain with the state government, which is now in the opposition at federal level.
Limus, however, had yet to decide which party to join.
Meanwhile, James said he decided to leave Upko, which he joined two years ago, because the Warisan-led state government was no longer in line with the PN-led federal government.
“I am confident that the PN government led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin can bring about a change in the political landscape of the country and Sabah,” he said. — Bernama