KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has officially withdrawn from Perikatan Nasional (PN), a decision made during its supreme council meeting on Nov 23.
SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said PN headquarters was officially notified of the decision last month.
"It became clear that PN wants to contest in the upcoming Sabah elections, a position that contradicts SAPP's long-standing stand and policy that all 73 state constituencies should only be contested by local Sabah parties.
"SAPP's stand is consistent with the MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) and autonomy for Sabah.
"We cannot compromise on our commitment to ensuring that the elections for the Sabah legislative assembly remain exclusively under the purview of local parties, free from interference of parties based in Malaya," he said in a statement.
SAPP previously held dual membership with PN and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).