Shafie, who is also Sabah chief minister, said Warisan, as the Sabah government’s lynchpin party, was always receptive to ideas which could unite the people and develop the state.

“Elected representatives have expressed a desire to join us (Warisan) and we are open. But in this cooperation, I hope there are no conditions set by any party,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after a ceremony to mark the loan repayment from the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) to the Sabah state government outside the state assembly here today.

Yesterday, 14 elected representatives from Sabah Umno left the party to become independents and expressed their support for the government.

They comprised five MPs, namely Ronald Kiandee (Beluran), Yamani Hafez Musa (Sipitang), Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort), Zakaria Edris (Libaran) and Rahim Bakri (Kudat).

The other nine were state assemblymen Hajiji Mohd Noor (Sulaman), Masidi Manjun (Karanaan), Japlin Akim (Usukan), Musbah Jameh (Tempasuk), Gulam Haidar Khan (Kawang), Mohd Arifin Arif (Membakut), Isnin Aliasnih (Klias), Matbali Musah (Lumadan) and Nizam Titingan (Apas).

Shafie said the government’s main concern was the people of Sabah and it would continue to help develop all areas in the state, including those won by the opposition.

“The government has a policy that we will help all the people in the state. We have placed no restrictions in the party or government to ensure the state continues to be developed.”