Sabah and S’wak expected to throw their weight behind alliance

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah and Sarawak are expected to throw their weight behind a new political alliance that will be led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic).

Senior political sources in the state said Parti Warisan Sabah with nine MPs and Gabungan Parti Sarawak with 18 MPs would join a Bersatu alliance with Barisan Nasional and PAS.“We expect the new national coalition to be known as Perikatan Nasional.“And this is expected to become a reality by late Friday night or Saturday, ” the source said.The source said they expected three opposition MPs from Sabah-based parties – Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Sabah STAR), Arthur Kurup (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) and Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (Parti Bersatu Sabah) to join the alliance.The source was not sure whether Parti Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau would join the alliance.Upko has been with Pakatan Harapan and is part of the Warisan-led state government.The source said they expected Muhyiddin to get the support of either 128 or 129 MPs to form the new government following the resignation of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.“We believe Pakatan now has at least 93 MPs on their side, ” said the source, adding that both Warisan and GPS had maintained their stand to be with the Federal Government of the day.