TAWAU: Former Kukusan assemblyperson Rina Jainal resigned as Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah deputy president on Thursday after the party suspended her membership for three years.
She signalled her intention to defend the Kukusan seat she won in the last state election, saying many residents had urged her to continue representing them.
Rina said she left the party on principle, claiming she had become a target of internal sabotage just days before nomination for the 17th Sabah election.
She described the disciplinary action as politically motivated and said it had caused confusion among grassroots supporters in the constituency.
Rina added that her work in Kukusan would continue regardless of party affiliation, as she prepares to face a likely rematch with BN-Umno’s Chaya Sulaiman alongside other contenders.