Two assemblymen from the United Kinabalu Progressive Organisation (UPKO) aligned to the Sabah state government today declared they had quit the party with immediate effect.

Kuala Penyu assemblyman Datuk Limus Jury and Sugut assemblyman Datuk James Ratib announced that they are now independent elected representatives and support Perikatan Nasional (PN), which is in power at the federal level, for the sake of development in their constituencies.

They made the announcement at a press conference at the residence of Limus in Jalan Pintas, Penampang, near here in the presence of several of their supporters.

Limus had been UPKO vice-president and had headed the UPKO Beaufort Division while James had been a member of the UPKO Supreme Council.

Limus said they have lost confidence in the UPKO leadership which they claimed is inconsistent in terms of its struggle and objectives.