Sabah's PKDM deputy chief quits to go independent

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Malaysia (PKDM) deputy president Datuk Juil Nuantim is leaving the party.

The Limbahau assemblyman said he has yet to send his official resignation but would remain as an independent representative until the time is right to move forward.

“I am planning to send in my letters and meet with the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor soon,” he said when contacted Sunday (May 21).

“For now, I think I will remain an independent but we’ll see,” said Juil, adding that PKDM president Datuk Peter Anthony has been informed of his decision to resign.

Asked if Peter accepted his resignation, he said he is not sure but it was not an issue.

Hajiji, when asked about Juil’s move to quit PKDM, said he had been informed of the matter but the latter had yet to meet him for any discussions on whether he wanted to be part of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.

“If it’s true that he is leaving PKDM, I hope he will choose a direction or party that can help him continue his political career,” he said after a Hari Raya celebration luncheon organised by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) here, Sunday.

He said it was up to Juil whether he wanted to join GRS because being a democratic nation, state assemblymen have the right to make their own decisions.

“But in the coming assembly sitting, we are going to amend our state constitution to make way for the introduction of the anti-hopping law,” said Hajiji.

“So there is still time. Anyone who wishes to join us can still do so,” he said in jest.

Prior to this, PKDM had repeatedly expressed its intention to join GRS but the coalition has yet to accept their application.

PKDM is however in support of the GRS-led state government and the federal unity government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Earlier in the event, some 50 orphans from various identified households were given Raya goodies in conjunction with the celebration.