After crossover claim, Warisan leader calls for snap polls in Sabah

Darell Leiking says a defection by Warisan assemblymen will be a ‘great betrayal’ of the people’s trust.

KOTA KINABALU: Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking has called for a fresh election in Sabah after former chief minister Musa Aman claimed he has enough support to form a new state government.

Leiiking also launched a scathing attack on assemblymen from the Warisan-led state government said to be crossing over to Musa’s new alliance, saying it is a “great betrayal”.

The Penampang MP and former federal minister said he was shocked over the claim the assemblymen were turning their backs on the state government despite pledging their allegiance to Chief Minister Shafie Apdal earlier.

“This is a great betrayal of the mandate that has been supported by the people of Sabah for the last two years.

“They repeatedly pledged loyalty and signed statutory declarations to the legitimate chief minister and the state government and it’s strange to see them making U-turns.

“While we are shocked at what is reported to have happened, I personally believe a state election should be held,” he told FMT.

Earlier today, Musa claimed he had secured enough support for a simple majority to form a new state government.

He said those crossing over to his new alliance were from Warisan, PKR, Upko and PKR.

Musa also said he will be meeting the governor soon to hand over statutory declarations of support from the assemblymen.

Among those at his press conference were PKR’s Kenny Chua (Inanam), DAP’s Ronnie Loh (nominated assemblymen), Warisan’s Osman Jamal (Balung), Hamisa Samat (Tanjung Batu), Musbah Jamli (Tempasuk), Bolkiah Ismail (Pitas), Anita Baranting (Tandek) and Upko’s Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan).

Leiking said Musa’s camp would likely remind Warisan that it had seized power from Barisan Nasional by getting its assemblymen to defect following the last general election.

“But this is different because this is a sitting government, and only after two years, these people (assemblymen) are said to be leaving the government.

“Let’s return to the people to see if they agree with what they are doing or otherwise,” he said. - FMT