![](http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2012/august2012/13/crossover-aug13.jpg)
Maijol announcing his crossover to Pakatan Rakyat in Kota Marudu, Sabah on August 12, 2012. — Picture by Clara Chooi
Senator Datuk Maijol Mahap, a vice-president in BN’s Sabah-based United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO), publicly announced his decision to quit the ruling coalition yesterday before a thousand-strong turnout at his home in Kota Marudu, about 100km away from the state capital of Kota Kinabalu.
“This is something expected but his departure from BN won’t affect the overall strength of BN in Sabah,” Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, told The Malaysian Insider.
“BN in Sabah is intact and I am confident that BN will win with comfortable victory in the coming state general election. Crossovers won’t erode support to BN because people are suspicious of their motive.
“We have many new and young capable leaders who are loyal to BN that can replace BN leaders who left and support Pakatan,” the Sabah Umno deputy chief said in a text message.
![](http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/mugshots/abdul-rahman-dahlan-april25.jpg)
BN's Abdul Rahman appeared to relish the challenge thrown down by his political foes.
Salleh’s BN colleague from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Datuk Liew Vui Keong, was also not surprised by Maijol’s move.
He noted that the politician had been spotted two weeks ago attending former UPKO veteran Datuk Wilfred Bumburing welcome party into PR.
“I can only wish him all the best,” said Liew, who is LDP president.
“Leaving and joining a political party is reflective of the nature of democracy,” he said, adding that “people can come and go” for both BN and PR parties.
Asked about Sabah BN’s strategy to strengthen support in the face of recent crossovers, he said: “We just have to continue to work.”
Liew echoed Salleh in playing down the impact the three recent defections may have on BN’s morale, occurring as they had successively.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who had flown to the country’s easternmost state to personally greet and welcome the three renegades in the past two weeks, had openly declared that there would be more crossovers from the BN “fixed deposit” into PR’s ranks in the coming weeks leading to crucial elections that could tip the power in its favour.
“As far as BN Sabah is concerned, we are united in our cause and struggle to make sure that BN continues to govern,” Liew told The Malaysian Insider.
Maijol’s move yesterday follows in the wake of two other senior BN lawmakers — Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing, formerly UPKO’s deputy president, and Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, formerly an Umno supreme council member.
As with some of his BN colleagues, Liew appeared reluctant to take a swipe at his former ally, saying only “as to the reason why they leave, the rakyat will see for themselves and will judge the motive for leaving.”
He hinted however that some of them may have quit BN in hopes of getting a plump political position.
“Some people leave for position and reasons best known to themselves,” he said.
Liew’s ally from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Datuk Johnny Mositun, also chose to keep a tight lip on Maijol’s departure.
Contacted for comment, the PBS information chief said he was unable to say anything at this point as he was waiting for further instructions from the leadership.
He only said: “Kalau itu dirasakan baik bagi Maijol, maka baiklah bagi dirinya (If Maijol considers that to be good, then it’s good for him).”
Unlike his peers, Sabah BN secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan appeared to relish the challenge thrown down by his political foes.
The Kota Belud federal lawmaker had taken to Twitter to reply to the challenge even before Maijol made his defection announcement official.
“Tak apa, kita tak gentar dgn PR. (It does not matter, we are not afraid of PR),”he tweeted more than 12 hours before Maijol announced his departure from BN.
“We are ready. Bring it on!” he added.
The defection of Maijol Mahap, Lajim Ukin and Wilfred Bumburing will not threaten the BN's stability. In fact, Marcus Mojigoh said BN is is more solid now than it was before the defection of several leaders. He said the country is continuing its journey towards further transformation and the people need to have patience. Just wait and see.
ReplyDeleteUMNO Kimanis kini lebih kukuh tanpa Lajim Ukin.
Deletesebelum ini Lajim suka mengkritik BN dari dalam.. jadi dengan keluarnya Lajim dari BN, sudah tentulah BN akan lebih kuat, kukuh dan stabil.. tidak perlu lagi risau tentang musuh dalam selimut..
DeleteIt seems that most BN leaders are unfazed by the defections, when approach for their opinion, they wished the defectors the best. It is their rights to party hop, we should respect their decision.
ReplyDeletetidak seperti dalam Pakatan, mana2 ahli yang membuat kenyataan bertentangan dengan semangat parti, pasti akan dipecat.. selepas dipecat, mula la pemimpin2 pembangkang menghina dan mengutuk pemimpin2 yang dipecat ini..
DeleteDatuk Musa Aman said the situation in Sabah was actually calm and only certain people, especially in the opposition, who were overly excited. He disclosed that it was merely the trick of the opposition to fish for votes in the coming general election. The people should judge this wisely.
ReplyDeleteKetiadaan MP seperti Lajim dan Bumburing semua ini tidak pernah menggugat sokongan penduduk kepada BN. Jadi kita tidak perlu risau akan perkara ini.
ReplyDeletebetul tu.. sebelum ini juga sudah banyak pemimpin2 BN keluar meninggalkan BN, malah ada juga pemimpin BN yang membawa keluar sekali parti beliau dari gabungan itu.. tapi tidak juga menjejaskan kedudukan BN di negeri ini..
DeleteSaya dengar ada lagi pihak yang akan keluar daripada BN. Jadi kita nantikan mengenai perkara ini.
ReplyDeleteagaknya inilah strategi Anwar pada PRU kali ini.. beliau gagal endapatkan sokongan rakyat Sabah, sebab itu beliau terpaksa menghasut seberapa banyak pemimpin2 BN untuk keluar menyertai beliau dan memanfaatkan sokongan2 sedia ada pemimpin2 tersebut untuk kepentingan beliau..
ReplyDeletesaya harap pada PRU kali ini juga Pakatan akan tetap gagal merampas kerajaan, dan saya harap Anwar akan bersara dari politik..
ReplyDeleteBN tetap kukuh tanpa mereka.
ReplyDeleteWhy must keep liabilities in the party? It was a good move that they have quit willingly.
ReplyDelete