The GRS majority in the state assembly has increased by one today after the Sebatik rep who won on a Warisan ticket last September left the party.

KOTA KINABALU: Sebatik assemblyman Hassan A Gani Pg Amir today announced he has quit Warisan and declared himself an independent who backs the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ruling coalition.

According to Bernama, Hassan decided to leave the party led by Shafie Apdal as it focused more on politicking, instead of the people’s well-being.

He also said he was throwing his support behind Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“What the country needs now is political stability. It is vital to ensure the government will be able to focus on combatting the Covid-19 pandemic,” he told the national news agency in an exclusive interview.

Hassan said he was saddened that Warisan had prioritised politics over the well-being of the people, who were struggling to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

His decision to side with GRS means the coalition – which comprises Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and PBS – now has the backing of 48 of the 79 assemblymen in the state.

In the state election last year, Hassan defeated PN’s Muis Picho with a 522-majority after garnering 2,665 votes.

FMT could not reach Hassan for comment.

Meanwhile, Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr said he had not received any information about Hassan quitting the party and, therefore, could not comment further on the matter.

“But if it’s true, then we need to do what needs to be done. What else can we do?” he said when contacted by FMT. -- Free Malaysia Today