The five are Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Jasni Daya ( Pantai Dalit), Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk), Hamid Awang (Balung) and James Ratib (Sugut).

Jasni, James, Yusof and Arsad were among the five Umno assemblyman who had refused to be part of a move to oust Hajiji as the chief minister in an attempted coup in January.

Meanwhile, three Warisan assemblymen who left the party earlier this month also announced their decision to join Gagasan Rakyat.

They were Norazlinah Arif (Kunak), Chong Chen Bin (Tanjung Kapor) and Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi).

Mohammad, Chong and Norazlina said they had decided to leave Warisan after taking into consideration several factors including the sentiment of the grassroots.

They added that they would relinquish all party posts at divisional and Supreme Council levels.

All three had been re-elected for a second term at the 2020 state elections.

Yusof said the eight assemblymen had given a lot of thought on the political direction for Sabah based on several factors.

This includes complying with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s decree that there was a need for political stability in the country.

He said the state government had to be strong, stable and united to ensure the development and progress of Sabah.

“We acknowledge that the dispute (in Sabah) has hindered development and the state’s economic growth.

“This is why the eight of us (five from Umno and three from Warisan) unanimously choose to support Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister, the unity government and Hajiji as the chief minister.”

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