(The Star) - Sabah Barisan Nasional wants Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Lajim Ukin to make a stand on his political future following a report quoting him as saying that his political future lies with the Opposition.

State Barisan secretary Datuk Rahman Dahlan said Lajim, the Beaufort MP, should reveal his political direction.

A local newspaper here reported that Lajim on Tuesday had taken part in a gathering organised by Pakatan Rakyat in Labuan, where he was quoted as saying that he would not mind being sacked from Umno.

Lajim, who recently quit as an Umno branch chief and had announced that he would not be defending his divisional chief post, said his future could be with PKR, PAS or DAP.

Lajim reportedly told the crowd of about 500 that although he was a deputy minister in the Barisan administration, he did not fear attending an opposition event.

“I am willing to forgo my monthly salary of RM20,000 and other perks so I can continue with my struggle to ensure local rights are respected while issues of immigration, corruption and cronyism are solved,” he was quoted as saying.

Rahman said yesterday that Barisan had become strong, inclusive and governed the country continuously for 50 years due to the good work of many individuals.

“There is no room in Barisan and Umno for prima donnas,” he said, adding that the ruling coalition had never been beholden to any individual.

“No one is indispensable. People, including prime ministers, have come and gone,” he said.

Rahman said whatever Lajim’s decision was, Sabah Barisan was prepared to defend all its parliamentary and state seats, including those in the Beaufort area.