KOTA KINABALU, April 23 -- Controversial former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has pulled his United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) party out of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, citing "differing directions" and a growing lack of alignment in governance.

Correspondingly, Pandikar also resigned as GRS deputy chairman and from all related government positions.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page last night, the party pointed to a growing lack of alignment in policy, particularly following the 17th Sabah state election in November last year, as the primary reason for its departure.

"Usno has also taken the position to remain as a political party rooted in the struggle of Sabah's indigenous com...