KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice-president Abdul Rahman Kongkawang and eight other opposition politicians left the party to join Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), today.
Rahman, who is the Labuk assemblyman, became the second PBS assemblyman to join Warisan, following in the footsteps of former PBS Women Chief and Tandek assemblywoman Datuk Anita Baranting.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who is the Warisan president, received a membership application form from Rahman at a special press conference held at the Sabah Administrative Centre here.
The other defecting opposition politicians were PBS Labuk party branch chiefs Nordin Lamsnih, Saharan Marpidi and Tamiang Saraman; Labuk PBS Women committee Fency Mirsoh; and Labuk PBS Youth committee Sunny Silva Raja.
Beluran Umno committee Abdul Rahim Diar; Beluran Umno member Andaraman Kahar; and former Beluran district assistant officer Jamai Sikansa were also part of the group.
Declaring that his entry into Warisan was without conditions, Rahman said that the move was necessary to bring better development and improve the people's welfare in his constituency, which covers Telupid and Beluran.
"This will allow me to think less about politicking and focus on my responsibility as Labuk assemblyman and the development needed in my area.
"I recently informed the (PBS) party leadership (of my resignation). I believe the matter was discussed at the political bureau and brought up in the supreme council meeting," he said.
Asked on the reaction of PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, Rahman said that he believes that the party, which he had fought with for almost 30 years, would accept his decision.
"Surely, it is sad. However, I want to ensure the continuity of development for the Labuk people. It's not for my personal interest," he said.
Earlier, Shafie gave his assurance that Labuk would be given much needed attention, adding that he is confident of Rahman's capability as an elected representative.
He stressed that the Warisan-led government remains committed in assisting the people, including bringing development to opposition areas.
"It does not mean if (the area is ruled by the) opposition, that we don't assist. In Tambunan, we have given land grants and assisted the church community," he added.
With the departure of Rahman, PBS is now left with five elected representatives. They are Ongkili (Kota Marudu MP), Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (Kiulu assemblyman), Datuk Jahid Jahin (Tamparuli assemblyman), Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam (Kundasang assemblyman) and Julita Majungki (Matunggong assemblywoman).