KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Barisan Nasional government is in danger of losing its majority in the 60-seat assembly barely 12 hours after Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman was sworn in at 11.15pm Thursday (May 10) in Istana Negeri.
Two Sabah Umno assemblyman – Datuk Abdul Muis Picho (Sebatik) and Datuk Hamisah Samat (Tanjong Batu) – arrived at 12.15pm Friday (May 11) at the Taman Golf View residence of Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The two are believed to be keen to defect to Warisan while sources indicate that three of the five assemblymen who purportedly “defected” are still with party president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, whose party, with five assemblyman, left Barisan on Thursday (May 10).
The potential movement will reduce Musa’s 31-seat simple majority to 26 seats as anticipation grows that more Umno and PBS assemblymen are expected to cross the floor by the day’s end.
Musa, with 29 Barisan seats, had claimed a simple majority of 31 seats with the endorsement of Sabah STAR president Datuk Dr Jefffrey Kitingan’s two state seats.
Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin swore him in despite doubts whether Musa commanded or could hold the majority in the 60-seat state assembly.
Musa also included Dr Jeffrey in his 10-member cabinet.
Sources in Warisan said Shafie has ordered all his assemblymen to converge at his house by 2.30pm Friday.
They said they expected more Barisan assemblymen to join Warisan and its partners DAP and PKR.
Some of them indicated that Warisan would be holding some 38 seats in the assembly by Friday evening.
Two Sabah Umno assemblyman – Datuk Abdul Muis Picho (Sebatik) and Datuk Hamisah Samat (Tanjong Batu) – arrived at 12.15pm Friday (May 11) at the Taman Golf View residence of Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The two are believed to be keen to defect to Warisan while sources indicate that three of the five assemblymen who purportedly “defected” are still with party president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, whose party, with five assemblyman, left Barisan on Thursday (May 10).
The potential movement will reduce Musa’s 31-seat simple majority to 26 seats as anticipation grows that more Umno and PBS assemblymen are expected to cross the floor by the day’s end.
Musa, with 29 Barisan seats, had claimed a simple majority of 31 seats with the endorsement of Sabah STAR president Datuk Dr Jefffrey Kitingan’s two state seats.
Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin swore him in despite doubts whether Musa commanded or could hold the majority in the 60-seat state assembly.
Musa also included Dr Jeffrey in his 10-member cabinet.
Sources in Warisan said Shafie has ordered all his assemblymen to converge at his house by 2.30pm Friday.
They said they expected more Barisan assemblymen to join Warisan and its partners DAP and PKR.
Some of them indicated that Warisan would be holding some 38 seats in the assembly by Friday evening.
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