KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 ― PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has endorsed those who quit his party’s Sabah chapter on the condition they remain against the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition,

In a Sinar Harian report, the Selangor mentri besar said he presumed the quitters did not act rashly.

"I believe the recent move by Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin perhaps was based on his and his friends’ consideration,” Azmin was quoted saying.

"Whoever is against BN, I will support. The commitment of Darrell Leiking, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and a few others who formed and joined a new party with the one goal of fighting Umno-BN in Sabah, I give my full support.”

Azmin was asked by the media whether the exits made by PKR leaders in Sabah will weaken the opposition in the east Malaysian state.

On Sunday, former Sabah PKR chief Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin announced that he was setting up his own political party, right after declaring his exit from the party.

Lajim said he was working on forging new alliances with other local opposition parties to oust the ruling BN and reinstate Sabah rights — a common interest that has been touted by Semporna MP and former Umno vice-president Datuk Shafie Apdal who has also registered his own new party.

Likas assemblyman Junz Wong also quit Sabah DAP along with six other colleagues. Three other Sabah PKR office bearers also left the national opposition party that day.