KOTA KINABALU: Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah denies that he is among Sabah political leaders rumored to be leaving Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
"How could I quit when I am an independent state assemblyman who is GRS-friendly… I am not a member of any political party that is a component of GRS," Masiung said in a statement.
As a GRS-friendly independent assemblyman, he added that he stands and supports the leadership of the coalition chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Yesterday, social media was abuzz that Masiung and several GRS assemblymen were leaving the coalition.
Masiung said such information was spread by the irresponsible to 'stir the pot' as the 15th general election looms.
He added those who did it had malicious intent.
"I was in Kuamut over the weekend servicing the constituents and was unreachable as there are still many areas which do not have internet connection,"
"I was only informed of this issue by my Communications and Media Officer Yussof Imbang late last night," said Masiung who is GRS Kinabatangan Chief.
Masiung has a reputation of crossing over parties since 2018.
In 2018, he left United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation and emerged as a Parti Warisan politician in 2020.
On July 30, 2020, Masiung was one of the 13 state assemblymen involved in a coup to oust Warisan from the state government, which paved the way for a snap election in the same year.
He defended his seat as an independent politician.