KOTA KINABALU: The newly formed Barisan Nasional-led Sabah state government will not last long as it is invalid, said Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He said Warisan along with its partners Sabah DAP and PKR do not acknowledge the state government that was formed on Thursday (May 10) considering Barisan did not get enough seats to form the government.
Mohd Shafie also said Barisan fell short of the 31 seats required to form the state government with a simple majority as Upko had pulled out of the coalition to join Warisan, which would contribute five more seats to Warisan's 29.
He added that the five assemblymen were "held" at Seri Gaya under pressure and were unable to follow Upko acting president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
"Musa Aman is now Chief Minister and at the state level, I do not acknowledge Barisan as a valid state government as they did not get an absolute mandate. Upko has already stated its stance," said Mohd Shafie.
He added that he has sent a letter to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the matter.
Mohd Shafie reiterated that Warisan will not concede to Barisan and will not allow Sabah to have an invalid state government.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Taman Golfview here Friday (May 11), Shafie also said early on Thursday (May 10), he had already sent a letter to Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin after getting support from Sabah STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan to join Warisan and its partners.
However, Dr Jeffrey later joined Barisan, contributing two more seats to Barisan's 29, enabling them to form a state government with 31 seats.
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