SABAH Umno has lost yet another assemblyman, after Saddi Abdul Rahman quit the party with immediate effect today.

The Sukau rep said he wants to be an independent providing checks and balances to the Parti Warisan Sabah-led state government.

“I support any state parties that fought for the Malaysia Agreement 1963, state rights and the fair distribution of oil royalties.

“Sabahans may have overlooked these issues, and the federal government may have hidden the truth from us.”

He thanked former Umno president and prime minister Najib Razak and former state Umno liaison chief Musa Aman for giving him the opportunity to be Sukau rep since the 12th general election.

“I will decide on the future later.”

In GE14, Saddi retained the seat with a 1,628-vote majority, beating Warisan’s Ismail Ayub.

In the 2013 elections, he retained Sukau with a 4,419-vote majority.

Sabah Umno now has only 11 assemblymen, with the Barisan Nasional pact having a total of 19 reps in the state.

The ruling parties have 35 assemblymen, with 21 from Warisan, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (4), DAP (6), PKR (2) and two Umno defectors, who crossed over on May 10.

The remaining six reps in the state assembly, including Saddi, are independents aligned with either Warisan or the opposition. – August 1, 2018.