None of them named the new party. However, former Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal, has announced he would form a new party, and is being joined by PKR vice-president Darell Leiking, who is MP for Penampang.

Sabah PKR information chief Terrence Siambun, assemblyman for Moyog, is reported to be joining them.

Another assemblyman, Junz Wong of Likas, who is Sabah DAP secretary, said the decision had been on his mind for a few months, according to Borneo Post Online.

“The time has come for us to demand our rights through a local party, through the efforts of ‘anak Sabah’. We ‘anak Sabah’ must come together to seize the opportunity to get Umno out of Sabah. We will still work with the peninsular based parties to topple Umno,” he reportedly said.

Lajim’s departure had been speculated for a month. He did not say which party he would join, but said “I am not exiting by myself” and that he would be joined by “several leaders and youths with potential and also other Opposition (members).”

Last month he had denied allegations that he was joining Shafie Apdal’s new party.

Darrel Leiking announced his departure for Shafie’s party last month, and said his decision had nothing to do with PKR or party president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.