TAWAU, May 26 ― Thirty-four members of the Kalabakan Umno division quit the party and Barisan Nasional, effective today.

They are members of the Village Security and Development Committees (JKKK), village chief, state representative and Umno branch chief.

Kampung Kalabakan JKKK chairman, Asmadi Suping said the move was taken after losing confidence in the party leadership at state and federal levels.

"We will move on and do not intend to join any political party. Nevertheless, we support the leadership of assemblyman Datuk Hamisa Samat who has joined Parti Warisan Sabah,” he told a special press conference at Hamisa’s residence here today.

He hoped everyone would accept the decision and continue to support Hamisa.

Asmadi, who represented the Umno members who quit the party, also expressed support for the new Sabah administration led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.