Following strong rumours that Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Lajim Ukin will be ditching Umno, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has invited the Beaufort MP to join them in toppling the Barisan National and help improve the well-being of Sabahans.

Party president Yong Teck Lee said all Lajim has to do is to take the first step to leave Umno now, and work within the Anything But Umno (ABU) framework.

“Do not hide your intentions anymore... everybody now knows Lajim wants to leave BN. Although it is a bit late, but I think it’s better late than never, as long as Sabah is safe,” said Yong at the SAPP Beaufort CLC annual dinner recently.

ABU is an organisation launched by several NGOs with the aim of ousting Umno.

NONE Yong (left) said SAPP wants to cooperate with Lajim in preparing for the upcoming general election, following reports of him wanting to leave Umno and BN.

"Hopefully, Lajim no longer needs to play hide and seek. Just come out.

"Look at SAPP, we were also in BN once but now we are already out of the ruling coalition for three-and-a-half years," said Yong who is a former Sabah chief minister.

Yong has asked the people of Beaufort to deliver his message to Lajim.

"If SAPP members of parliament and elected state representatives are willing to sacrifice their positions in the BN government in order to fight for the Sabah people, there should be no reason why Lajim cannot do the same.

"We invite Lajim to leave BN and fight Umno together…  anything but Umno,” he said, adding that even though they are without positions or allowances, they still have pride.

Yong said SAPP would take into consideration Lajim’s visions for Beaufort and Kuala Penyu because "we want to win the election".

"Our message to Lajim and his colleagues in Umno or in Upko or LDP who are dissatisfied, to come and join the opposition.

"Don’t wait too long… there is a Chinese saying the longer the night, the more dreams you will have," he quipped.

Besides Lajim, others speculated to leave BN includes Pandan MP and former MCA president Ong Tee Keat.

Lajim: I don't want to comment now

Sabah PAS Youth yesterday also welcomed speculations that Lajim was leaving Umno.

The movement's chief Lahirul Latigu said recent actions by Lajim were signs that Umno and BN are being rejected by its state leaders.

"Pemuda PAS welcomes any move by him to leave Umno/BN," he added.

Lahirul said the minister was previously reported to be interested in heading a new front called SPF and this speculation was strengthened when Lajim attended Christmas celebrations with former Kuala Penyu assemblyperson John Ghani and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including PKR vice-president N Surendran and former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

lajim ukin “It seems Umno and BN do not recognise the contributions made by Lajim, when Umno/BN reclaimed Sabah in 1994. Lajim dared to move from PBS to Umno with several of his friends resulting in Umno/BN being the majority to administer the state,” he said.

In responding to Malaysiakini , Lajim said he "did not want to comment now" on whether he would leave Umno.

Lajim (right) added that he would "make a proper statement, if that happens (leaving Umno).

"The news that you carried is erroneous... as if I am seen with Anwar Ibrahim at a Hari Raya function means I want to join PKR?

"This is politics and I have been involved in it for more than 20 years.

"I was there, in my constituency and if I am seen among opposition members, I am merely fostering relationship."

PAS and Yong, Lajim added, were merely saying something to gain political mileage.