Former Pantai Manis assemblyperson Abdul Rahim Ismail, who joined Bersatu three months ago, rejoined Umno yesterday after claiming that he has been left "politically paralysed."

It is learned that other than Rahim, several committee members from five divisions in Sabah had also left for Umno.

Rahim told Free Malaysia Today that the Papar Umno leadership had invited him to rejoin the party yesterday.

He expressed disappointment over being left out from being in the divisional committee, and said that recruiting members for Bersatu is a tall order as Umno is still popular among the grassroots.

“In Sabah, Umno is still strong and seen as a sincere party, especially when the poor and working-class compare the aid they got from the Umno/BN-led government and what they are getting from the Pakatan Harapan-led government.

“So if people say I am ‘kacang lupakan kulit’ (a person who forgets his roots), I disagree because I have contributed to the development and politics in Papar,” he told FMT.

The news of Rahim's exit from Bersatu came after Sabah Bersatu chief Hajiji Noor announced that the party hoped to open 501 branches statewide.

He said the party would be submitting its application to the Registrar of Societies in a week's time.

"Although we have received an overwhelming response from various quarters to sponsor more branches, our decision is based on the provisions in the party's constitution which required branches to be set up according to voting districts," he had said.