Chia, who quit PKR in 2014, said he decided to leave Gagasan Rakyat and contest as an independent out of respect for “the wishes of the Inanam people”, Borneo Post reported.

“A significant segment of Inanam voters have expressed their wishes and support for me to represent them in Kolombong, Inanam, and Menggatal,” Chia, who served as Inanam assemblyman from 2013 to 2018, was quoted as saying.

He said he had resigned from Gagasan Rakyat effective yesterday.

Chia, a former PKR supreme council member, joined Bersatu in 2020 before leaving the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party, following the 15th general election in November 2022, to join Gagasan Rakyat with other former Sabah Bersatu leaders.

Separately, Gagasan Rakyat said members would be sacked immediately should they decide to contest as an independent in the state or general elections.

The party’s secretary-general, Razali Razi, said contesting on an independent ticket would go against the party’s stand as a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component, Utusan Borneo reported.

He said Gagasan Rakyat members who decide to contest as  independent candidates did so on their own volition.

Razali then appealed to supporters and the party’s machinery to remain focused on the state polls to ensure GRS candidates win on Nov 29.

Gagasan Rakyat is expected to contest over 30 seats. There are a total of 73 seats up for grabs in the 17th Sabah state election.