Sulabayan assemblyperson Jaujan Sambakong today officially crossed the Sabah legislative assembly to become an opposition-friendly Independent member of the House.

Jaujan quit Umno in June to protest the party's actions against former Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal. He is seen as Shafie's right-hand man.

Confirming this with Malaysiakini, Jaujan also shared pictures of himself posing with opposition MPs in the state legislative assembly in Kota Kinabalu this morning.

DAP's Sri Tanjong assemblyperson Chan Foong Hin welcomed the new ally.

"We welcome Subalayan assemblyperson Jaujan Sembakong (photo) as a new member in the non-goverment assemblypersons camp," Chan wrote on Facebook.

Shafie quit Umno after he was suspended from the party following his criticism of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and 1MDB.

However, Shafie has rejected offers to join axed Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin's new party.

The MP of Semporna said he would rather focus on building a party that represents Sabahans.

Veteran journalist A Kadir Jasin said Shafie's plans to revive the dormant Sabah party, Usno, is part of the plan to form a bloc against BN for the 14th general election.

The bloc, which could see cooperation with Muhyiddin's party, Pakatan Harapan and PAS, is meant to ensure straight fights with BN in the next general election, Kadir said.