PKR president slams Sabah lawmakers for hopping

KUALA LUMPUR - PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has described as unacceptable the actions of Sabah lawmakers who defected despite winning their seats under her party’s banner.

The head of the peninsula-based opposition party expressed regret with Klias assemblyman Datuk Lajim Ukin’s resignation as Sabah PKR chief to set up his own party, as well as that of Moyog assemblyman Terrence Siambun who will join the new party started by former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

Penampang MP Darell Leiking quit as PKR vice-president earlier to join Shafie’s party.

“While I try to understand and empathise with him on the need to reflect a more Sabah emphasis in the campaign against BN, the practice of elected MPs or [assemblymen] abandoning the party on whose ticket he was initially elected cannot be condoned,” Dr Wan Azizah said in a statement, referring to Lajim.