KOTA KINABALU: A state assistant minister with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is creating a stir as social media videos show him talking of leaving the party and joining the opposition Parti Warisan.
Sabah's northern Bandau assemblyman Datuk Wetrom Bahandar, however, could not be reached for comments on the development that he was leaving Sabah Bersatu, a member of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
In the video apparently taken on Saturday (Oct 15), he is seen telling groups of supporters that he will be contesting under the Warisan ticket for Kota Marudu. A picture of the "W" hand sign of Warisan with supporters was also circulated.
Some sources said though the videos showed him talking to supporters of his plans to contest the Kota Marudu seat on Warisan ticket, he did not explicitly say he was leaving Sabah Bersatu.
They said that a firm decision might only be made sometime next week and Wetrom could be just making political postures to get more attention for his demand to contest the Kota Marudu seat.
Sources said that Wetrom has been eyeing to be a candidate for the Kota Marudu Parliament seat held by GRS component Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.
As GRS cannot allocate the seat to Wetrom, the source said that Wetrom was also talking to join Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), a component of Sabah Barisan.
However, since he was unlikely to get the seat as both GRS and Barisan were working together for the general election, Wetrom abandoned his plans to join PBRS earlier this week.
From the videos, the influential Wetrom was now setting his sights to join Warisan in his bid to contest the Kota Marudu seat.
However, Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said that Wetrom has yet to meet him.
"We will wait when the time comes. I have not met him," he told reporters when asked about the viral videos of Wetrom on Facebook as well as some Warisan divisions that claimed he had joined Warisan.
"He has not met me... don't believe what you hear...there could be other possibilities, we see when the time comes," Shafie said without making any commitments to social media buzz over him quitting Bersatu.
Sabah Bersatu deputy chairman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun also said he was unaware if Wetrom had officially quit the party.
"I have not seen his letter of resignation yet. But will have to check with the Bersatu secretary," he said.
