The Beluran MP said he would not follow in Hajiji’s footsteps, stating that the group’s actions would not affect Sabah Bersatu, especially at the grassroots level.

“It’s up to them to give whatever reasons they want but party members in Sabah deserve to make their own choices.

“But I would like to stress here that Bersatu will remain in Sabah and we will rebuild it,” he said when contacted by reporters today. However, he did not comment on Bersatu’s status in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

Sabah chief minister Hajiji, who is also GRS chairman, announced this morning that the Sabah Bersatu leaders had unanimously decided to leave the party but would remain under GRS.

GRS, which previously comprised of Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) partnered with Barisan Nasional (BN) to govern Sabah.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Supreme Council member Saifuddin Abdullah expressed his disappointment with the Sabah leaders over their decision.

The Pahang Bersatu chief said Sabah had yet to pass the anti-hopping law, which made it possible for the group to make such a decision.

“I am disappointed with their actions as they won their seats under Bersatu. In Pahang, Bersatu is still strong and we won’t budge,” he said at a media conference in Kuantan, Pahang.