In welcoming the exit by many senior Sabah Umno leaders today, he said GBS will pursue a political relationship with these leaders once everything is settled.

“They have finally decided to follow us (PBS)… ‘bebas’ (free). We will wait and see the developments that follow.

“For now, GBS will continue without Sabah Umno and will proceed when the dust has settled on the newly party-less ‘Yang Berhormat’ (elected representatives).

“In the meantime, PBS will stick to its own agenda by strengthening its grassroots and ensuring the state government governs responsibly.

“PBS will support what’s good for the people, but oppose what’s destructive to Sabah,” Ongkili said.

Former Sabah Umno chief and Sulaman assemblyman Hajiji Md Noor earlier today said those who left the party today would maintain their relationship with GBS.

The exodus from Umno today involved four MPs, nine assemblymen, two senators and 21 division heads. They will have no party for now but will support Pakatan Harapan.

Ongkili, in wishing Sabah Umno well, also hoped that they could maintain their struggle of “Sabah for Sabahans first, then other Malaysians”.

“Most importantly, it is to protect Sabah from uninvited foreigners. We want illegal immigrants to be cleared from Sabah.

“We maintain our stand that the Warisan-led state government did not earn the mandate of Sabah voters.”

Besides Sabah Umno and PBS, GBS also comprises Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and independent assemblymen.