UMNO REPS TO RETURN TO PARTY? FORGET IT, IT’S JUST BLUFF BY NAJIB & CO: SABAH UMNO ASSEMBLYMAN JOINS WARISAN AFTER GROUP EXODUS OUT OF ‘DYING’ PARTY

SABAH assemblyman Musbah Jamli has became the first of Sabah Umno defectors to join Parti Warisan Sabah.

The Tampasuk assemblyman joined Warisan today while his independent colleagues, which include eight state representatives and five MPs, still remain partyless.

“After much talk and persuasion, I have chosen to join Warisan, the party which is led by my friend, Mohd Shafie Apdal.

“Initially, all of us (former Sabah Umno leaders) had wanted to be part of Bersatu but bringing Bersatu in is the same as bringing Umno into Sabah in the 90s.

“I believe being in a state-based party, Sabahans can better fight for their rights,” he told reporters at the chief minister’s office in Kota Kinabalu today.

Peninsular-based Bersatu is chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Musbah is not given any special posts or role in the Warisan-led Sabah government.

Shafie, who is Warisan president cum Sabah chief minister, was also present during the press conference.

Earlier, Shafie noted Musbah may be the first of a number of former Sabah Umno men to join the party.

“I met quite a few of them (former Sabah Umno-turned-independent reps). Some of them are here and some are overseas. They have indicated their interest (of joining Warisan) but pleaded for time.

“We can’t force them. This must be based on their willingness,” said Shafie.

The former Sabah Umno members led by the then state chief Hajiji Noor left the party on December 12.

Hajjij told The Malaysian Insight they are presently recuperating and taking some time off from politics.

On another development, Shafie said he never met Umno leader Bung Mokhtar since the May 9 polls last year.

He said he had never offered the Umno man to join Warisan after the polls, adding however his offer came before the polls but Bung Mokhtar decided to stay put in Sabah Umno.

“Yes, I have invited him before the polls, but he was not very keen.

“I never met Bung since after the polls, “ he said.

– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/