BERSATU vice-president Ronald Kiandee has stressed that the party will rebuild its Sabah chapter after state leaders, led by former Sabah Bersatu chairman Hajiji Noor, left the party today.

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

“It’s up to them to provide whatever reasons, but party members in Sabah deserve to make their own choices. It’s up to them to choose whichever platform,” he said when contacted today.

“But I would like to stress here that Bersatu will remain in Sabah and we will rebuild it.”

Ronald did not, however, comment on Bersatu’s status in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Nor, who is also GRS chairman, unanimously agreed with other Sabah Bersatu leaders today to leave the party but remain under GRS.

GRS, which previously comprised Bersatu, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Sabah Progressive Party and United Sabah National Organisation partnered with Barisan Nasional to govern Sabah.

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

The Pahang Bersatu chief said Sabah has yet to enact the anti-party hopping law, so those involved could make such a decision.

“I am disappointed with the action taken by those in Sabah as they won their seats under (the) Bersatu (banner), but I was made to understand that Sabah Bersatu still exists as there are MPs and leaders who will continue the party’s struggle in the state,” he said at a press conference in Kuantan today.

“In Pahang, Bersatu is still strong and we won’t budge in terms of support for the party.”

In a separate statement, Bersatu Armada chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal voiced his confidence that there are Armada members in Sabah who will stay with Bersatu and rebuild the party in the state.

He also stressed that Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional will not violate the rights of non-Muslims to practise their own religions peacefully and in harmony. –  Bernama, December 10, 2022.