Kadamaian rep Jeremmy Malajad is said to have quit PRK to become a BN-friendly Independent assemblyperson in Sabah, Utusan Malaysia has reported.

It is understood that the first-time assemblyperson announced this at a press conference in Kota Belud, Sabah, flanked by his supporters.

Kadamaian is one of three state constituencies located within Kota Belud, which is also Sabah Umno’s birthplace. It is the only one of the three with a non-Muslim majority.

Malajad, who won the Kadamaian seat with a thin majority of 889 votes, is also believed to have resigned from all party posts.

According to Bernama, Jeremmy said he saw the BN government as being successful in tackling various issues in the state, including security and proverty.

NONE"I realise the high hopes of the constituents that I represent to see changes in development in our rural area, particularly with regard to provision of basic facilities like roads, clean water supply, health clinic and more which have become the current issue of concern of the community in Kadamaian," he was quoted as saying.

When contacted, Sabah PKR secretary Roland Chia (left) said that state chairperson Lajim Ukin will be releasing a press statement on the matter soon.

Malajad was among seven PKR assemblypersons voted into the Sabah state assembly in the 13th general election.

He is expected to be trailed by another first-term PKR assemblyperson, Matunggong’s Jailani Hamdan, who told The Star today that both he and Malajad “cannot work with Lajim any more”.

Matunggong, a Rungus majority state constituency, is located within the Kota Marudu parliamentary constituency, and was won by Jailani with a wafer-thin majority of 320 votes.

DAP won four seats in the Sabah state assembly, but lost one when Luyang representative Hiew King Chew left the DAP last month.

PKR has only one parliamentarian in Sabah - Penampang MP Darell Leiking.

When contacted, Leiking said he is unaware of the defection.

He also denies rumours that he will follow suit, adding that he is steadfast in his commitment to PKR.

'Huge betrayal'

Meanwhile, PKR vice president Tian Chua said that Malajad's departure is "unethical" and a "huge betrayal to the people of Sabah and Malaysia".

NONE"(PKR) will give a show cause letter to Matunggong assemblyperson Jailani Hamdan who is believed to also follow suit in betraying the trust giving to him by the people of Sabah," he said in a statement.

Tian Chua (right) added that their claim that they have lost confidence in the party leadership is a "merely an excuse to justify their betrayal" and is part of "BN's modus operandi".

"We urge the people of Sabah to unite and not let BN's tactics break up the struggle for reform a better Sabah," he said.

Additional reporting by Aidila Razak