Yusof, who was the Warisan information chief, is the second Warisan assemblyman to quit this year.
He told reporters he is now an independent assemblyman but supporting Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the federal level, and the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government led by chief minister Hajiji Noor at the state level.
He also said he had discussed his departure with party president Shafie Apdal, who had no objection.
“I am doing this for the people, especially those in Sipitang (the parliamentary constituency in which Sindumin is located), and for political stability,” he said.
Yusof’s resignation follows that of Sebatik assemblyman Hassan A Gani Pg Amir on Feb 25.
With the Bugaya seat, formerly held by the party, vacant since the death of incumbent Manis Muka, Warisan is left with only 20 seats in the 73-seat state assembly.
Warisan initially won 23 out of the 32 seats secured by Warisan Plus, which was a loose coalition between the party and its allies DAP, PKR and Upko, in last year’s state election.
Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr had previously declined to comment on news reports that Yusof had left the party, saying he had not received any resignation letter despite claims Yusof had submitted one.
Yusof said his decision to leave Warisan was also influenced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree in Parliament and the Sabah governor’s speech in the state assembly for all political parties to work together, especially for the good of the people and to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said he had been in politics for too long now, adding this might be his last term as an assemblyman to truly contribute something to his constituency as well as the state.
He said it was also better for him to use his past experience in the government as well as government-linked companies to better serve the people.
“My decision to leave was not influenced by any quarter. I have no issues with Warisan and no intention to make enemies. This decision gives priority to the interests of the people.
“We have so many problems in the Sipitang parliamentary area. They involve the forestry department, the Sabah Oil and Gas Industrial Park and the Pan Borneo Highway construction project.
“There is no use shouting in the state assembly or the coffee shops over our problems and, in the end, not being able to do anything about it.
“This way, I hope to find ways to resolve all these issues.”
Yusof said he had not decided on his future political affiliation, saying “now I can go anywhere and meet anybody”.
He also said a number of Warisan members were planning to quit, including some of his Sindumin committee members as well as six divisional information chiefs.
There had been speculation that Yusof had met the top guns in the state Umno and Bersatu over the past week.
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