Several Sabah Umno reps likely to leave party, including chairman and secretary, say sources

Hajiji (left) and Masidi.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Umno chairman and secretary are likely to leave the party, along with several state assemblymen, say sources.

They are expected to move to an "independent" position that will be "friendly" to Parti Warisan Sabah, which leads the state government, and will decide later on joining another party - possibly Warisan - the sources added.

The sources have said that some of the 10 Umno assemblymen in Sabah -  including the state party chairman, Datuk Seri Mohd Hajiji Mohd Noor, and secretary, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun - are likely to decide to leave the party on Wednesday (Dec 12).

Party sources have said that former Sabah Umno chief and state chief minister, Tan Sri Musa Aman, flew back to Sabah to try and coax his one-time close allies Hajiji and Masidi to work towards setting up Bersatu in Sabah.

Hajiji and Masidi are the assemblymen for the Sulaman and Karanan seats respectively.

It is learned that both Hajiji and Masidi, along with other assemblymen, did to not show up to meet with Musa, who is now seen as a political liability and blamed for the fall of the Sabah Barisan Nasional state government.

Musa is also facing timber-related corruption charges.

In the 14th general election (GE14), Sabah Umno won eight out of 26 parliamentary seats in the state.

However, Kimanis MP Anifah Aman and Labuan MP Rozman Isli both left the party in September and October respectively.

Talk among political circles is that the remaining six Sabah Umno MPs are staying out of local political manoeuvres and will remain with Umno - for now.

When contacted by The Star, Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee and Kinabantangan MP Datuk Bung Mokthar Radin, both said they were staying put with Umno.

It is understood that Beaufort MP Datuk Wan Azizah Mohd Dun and Kudat MP Datuk Rahim Bakri have shown little indication of leaving the party, according to sources close to the duo.

Libaran MP Datuk Zakariah Mohd Edris - who is related to Musa Aman's family - is expected to stick with family ties in any political movement.

Sipitang MP Yamani Hafez Musa, who is the son of the former chief minister, has yet to be sworn in as MP and has till Jan 15 before the seat is declared vacant.

However, the situation was still "fluid", according to a source.

Only when a move is actually made can one be sure of the chessboard, as there are a lot of “pull factors" from all corners acting on the politicians.

As for whether Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia will spread its wings to Sabah, as it has done in Sarawak, the source said that this probably won't happen.

This is because it's "no secret" that Warisan played a complimentary role for Bersatu in Sabah during the elections, the source said, adding that it was unlikely that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will want to spread Bersatu to Sabah with Warisan in place.