Kota Kinabalu: Five Sabah Umno state assemblymen quit the party and along with three former Warisan representatives joined Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Tuesday.
They five were Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Jasni Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk Arshad Bistari (Tampasuk) and Datuk Hamid Awang (Balung).
They were among the six Sabah Umno assemblymen who refused to be part of an attempt to oust Hajiji in January this year.
The three Warisan state lawmakers who announced their withdrawal from the party earlier this month also announced their PGRS membership.
They were Azlinah Ariff (Kunak), Ben Chong Chen Bin (Tanjung Kapor) and Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi).