TAWAU, May 22 — Twelve committee members from the Umno division here have resigned from the party.

Division treasurer Hamild Awang who led the group said they made the decision willingly and shift their support as Malaysians, "the government of the day”.

"We will apply to join Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan). However, it is up to the Warisan leadership in Tawau to approve. We will hold discussions with them,” he told the press here today.

On May 12, Tawau Umno Youth leader Ariffin Kassim quit the party together with five other Youth leaders from Tenom, Keningau, Pensiangan, Sepanggar and Silam, and joined Warisan.

On May 11, Umno assemblymen, Datuk Abdul Muis Picho (Sebatik) and Datuk Hamisa Samat (Tanjung Batu) crossed over to Warisan, giving Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal the majority he needed to form the state government and become chief minister. — Bernama