Warisan's Lahad Datu MP ready to sign cooperation MOU with govt

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah's Lahad Datu MP Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi (pic) is prepared to break ranks to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for bipartisan cooperation with the federal government.

Mohamaddin, who is also Segama assemblyman, said he personally felt there was nothing wrong with signing the MOU because the parliamentary funds for constituencies represented by the Opposition could be channelled for the people.

"I feel there is nothing wrong with signing the MOU because at least the funds can help the rakyat," he said on Monday (Oct 4) when asked about talk that he might sign the MOU.

Asked if the party would agree with his decision or if he would have to leave Warisan to be able to sign the MOU, Mohamaddin said:" If I'm asked to resign, I will do it for the sake of rakyat in my parliamentary constituency.

"Leaving the party (Warisan) may not arise but if that is the case, I don’t mind leaving or being sacked for the sake of my supporters and the people in my parliamentary constituency."

"I plan to sign the MOU if anyone offers it to me to sign," said the former federal minister when asked when he planned to sign the MOU.

Political talk has been circulating over Mohamaddin's plan to sign the MOU and some have speculated that he would align himself with PKR if he cannot sign the MOU with the government as an individual MP.

"I think PKR wants to make friends with me. The PKR people are friendly," he said, decling to say if he had been officially approached by the party.

Warisan, led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, had refused to join the national Opposition parties under Pakatan Harapan in signing the bipartisan MOU with the Federal government.

Opposition MPs, who are not parties to the MOU are apparently not included in allocations for parliamentary constituencies.

Warisan has eight MPs in the 220-member Parliament and 21 assemblymen in the 78-member state assembly.

The latest political posturing by Mohamaddin comes after talk that Warisan's information chief Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, who is Sindumin assemblyman, might be leaving the party to join either Sabah Umno or Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, which are both under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition government.

Though Dr Yusof has immediately brushed aside the reports, he has indicated that he would make his stand clear on Friday (Oct 8).