BERSATU chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reiterated that his party will not form a Sabah chapter, after several lawmakers and assemblyman from the state quit Umno last week. 

“However, we are open to those who want to join the party,” the prime minister said in Cyberjaya today.

Last week, four MPs, nine assemblymen, two senators and 21 division heads from Umno announced they were quitting the party.

Their mass resignations had prompted speculation that the defectors will set up a Bersatu Sabah branch.

Former Sabah Umno liaison chief Hajiji Mohd Noor, who led the group of defectors, said they will take with them more than half of the state Umno’s members.

The elected representatives’ decision to quit Umno leaves the party with just 37 seats in Parliament and one rep in the Sabah Legislative Assembly.

Hajiji and the other defectors have pledged their allegiance to the Pakatan Harapan government, Dr Mahathir and Parti Warisan Sabah, led by Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal.

The four MPs who quit are Abd Rahim Bakri (Kudat), Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort), Ronald Kiandee (Beluran) and Zakaria Mohd Edris (Libaran). – December 17, 2018.