KOTA KINABALU: Kukusan assemblyman Rina Jainal has quit Parti Warisan after five years with the party and will join Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.
"I announce that I am quitting all positions, including as Warisan Women's Youth wing (Wirawati) deputy youth chief and Kalabakan Wirawati chief. With a heavy heart, I also wish to announce that I quit Parti Warisan with immediate effect.
"I announce that I am joining Parti Harapan," she said in a press conference here on Sunday (June 5).
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Asked why she was joining Parti Harapan, which is not with the government and considered a small party, she said this was unplanned and is God's will.
"I feel that Parti Harapan's struggle since the leadership of the late Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin - and now Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah - is right and focuses fully on serving the people, especially in Tawau," she said.
She said the decision was her own and wanted to focus on working for the people, not the political chaos and power struggles currently.
Rina said Warisan's struggles and objectives were similar but Parti Harapan was more focussed.
Liew said Parti Harapan had handed in its application to join the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) coalition last month.
"We are attracted to GRS' leadership and how its leaders do their job for the people and the state, and we hope we will be accepted into the fold," he said.
Asked about the party's plan for Rina, he said they are considering making her the party's Women's wing chief and deputy president if all leaders and members approve.
"The people's representatives today have eyes and ears to see what is best for them and the rakyat," he said when responding to questions on whether they anticipate more representatives or assemblymen will join his party.
He said Parti Harapan does not want to go around lobbying leaders to join them but to come to them sincerely instead.
"There is no use having 10 representatives who are not sincere and committed to serve the people.
"If we have one Rina who is focussed and gives her all for the people, it will be enough," he said.
He asked party members and supporters to give Rina three months to prove herself.
With the general election nearing, he said Parti Harapan would not turn down any offers to stand in any seat when the time comes.
Warisan now has 18 assemblymen (including six nominated reps) in the 79-seat state assembly.
