Usno president Pandikar conveyed the decision to GRS chairman Hajiji Noor in a meeting yesterday.

The party has also relinquished all state government-related posts.

It said the Usno Supreme Council unanimously agreed with the party president’s decision, citing incompatibility with the state government’s policies and style of administration, especially following the state election in November.

“Usno will remain a political party that champions the rights of Sabah Bumiputeras and will be committed to serving as a check and balance on the state government.

“Usno also thanks the GRS chairman and all GRS components for their unity all this while. Usno promises that it will continue fighting for the aspirations of the marginalised,” it said in a Facebook post.

Usno joined GRS in May 2022 under the leadership of Pandikar, a former Dewan Rakyat speaker.

Pandikar, who was a GRS deputy chairman, had contested for the Pintasan seat during the state polls in November but lost to independent candidate Fairuz Renddan, who was formerly the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Youth chief.

Fairuz won the seat with a 1,070-vote majority.

In 2020, Pandikar had also lost the seat to Fairuz, who was then with Sabah Bersatu, by 84 votes.