KOTA KINABALU: Opposition Parti KDM’s sole assemblyman Datuk Rusdin Riman said he firmly supports Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor even though his party has decided to withdraw its support for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.
KDM on Aug 14 withdrew its support for Hajiji’s state coalition government.
However, Rusdin, who is the Paginatan assemblyman, said he remains a member of KDM as his responsibility as an assemblyman was to serve his constituents irrespective of his political affiliation.
Under the state’s anti-hopping law, an assemblyman will have to vacate his seat to allow for a fresh election if he voluntarily quits the party, but if he is sacked from the party, there will be no need for a by-election.
“I have chosen to continue supporting the ruling state government led by Hajiji for the continued well-being of the people of Paginatan,” he said in a Facebook post Friday (Sept 18).
Rusdin, who is also the state-owned Sabah Credit Corporation chairman, said political stability was essential to ensure that development plans could be implemented, the needs of the people addressed and problems at the grassroots level resolved without disruption.
He said his rural seat of Paginatan required sustained attention in several key areas, including infrastructure, basic amenities, education, healthcare, the economy, employment opportunities and the living standards of rural residents.
“These agendas require concerted efforts and continuous cooperation between the Government and other stakeholders,” he said.
KDM was not a member party of GRS, but backed the coalition to form the ruling government after last year’s state election resulted in a hung assembly.
Rusdin was clarifying his stand following a statement issued by his party on Sept 16 stating that he was continuing to support KDM acting president Priscella Peter.
He added that his loyalty to the party remained unwavering and he continued to support the party.
“I remain a KDM member and continue to respect the party leadership. At the same time, I believe that an elected representative should be given the freedom to fulfil the needs of the people he represents,” he said.
