Warisan goes to court over assemblyman Hassan’s defection

 

Sebatik assemblyman Hassan A Gani Pg Amir declared himself an independent in February and subsequently joined PPBM. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Warisan has filed a suit against its former member, assemblyman Hassan A Gani Pg Amir, who defected to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah last month.

In a statement here today, the party said the writ of summons and statement of claim was served today at Hassan’s home.

The suit against him is for failing to resign his state assembly seat upon his defection from the party. Warisan seeks a court decision to compel Hassan to honour his pre-signed resignation letter as the Sebatik assemblyman.

In its statement of claim, Warisan said Hassan had breached the trust placed on him by the party and its members.

Warisan also claimed Hassan had intentionally lied when he made the pledge, adding the latter also made no effort to honour it.

In February, Hassan declared himself an independent member of the state assembly and pledged support to the ruling GRS coalition. He has since joined PPBM.

After his defection, Warisan president Shafie Apdal said Hassan had signed a document of allegiance to Warisan before the state elections in September last year.

Hassan has said the letter was invalid as he had no choice but to swear his allegiance to become a candidate.

Warisan submitted Hassan’s pre-signed resignation letter to Sabah state assembly speaker Kadzim M Yahya in March but Hassan also submitted a statutory declaration to withdraw the letter the same day.

After reviewing both documents, Kadzim rejected the resignation letter and held that Hassan would remain as the assemblyman. - FMT