KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has said his party, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), is open to taking in three assemblymen sacked from Umno.

Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat president, said that he could not comment further about the dismissal because it was Umno’s business, Berita Harian reported today.

"I cannot comment because it involves the affairs of Umno. But if they apply to enter Gagasan Rakyat, God willing we will accept.

"There are many political parties in Sabah which they can join. So, it's up to them to choose,” he was quoted as saying.

The three assemblymen who were sacked are Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk) and Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Utusan Malaysia reported separately.

Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had announced the trio’s expulsion for signing sworn statements backing Hajiji’s leadership as chief minister, contrary to the party’s stand to withdraw support during the state political turmoil in early January.

Putatan MP Datuk Shahelmey Yahya who was also one of the Umno lawmakers to sign the statutory declaration backing Hajiji was given a six-year suspension, Bung Moktar said.

Hajiji reshuffled the Sabah Cabinet on January 11, dropping several Umno leaders, including Bung Moktar.

On February 21, four Sabah assemblymen – James, Mohd Arsad, Jasnih, and Datuk Hamild @ Hamid Awang (Balung) – announced their departure from Umno and their support for Gagasan Rakyat led by Hajiji.

But Umno has since mended its political ties with Gagasan Rakyat.

Last Saturday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that his party and the Barisan Nasional coalition he leads, will support the Sabah government until the next state election.