KOTA KINABALU: All signs point to assistant minister Datuk Wetrom Bahandar leaving Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to join Parti Warisan.
Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal remained coy about the possibility of Wetrom joining Warisan, telling reporters that there was nothing wrong if the latter indeed wanted to join them.
He said Wetrom was a Sabahan and a leader that people knew.
On questions about whether it was true that Wetrom would be Warisan’s candidate for the Kota Marudu seat, he said “that we will look into”.
“What is important here is the winnability factor. If he is winnable, then what is wrong? He is also a Sabahan,” Shafie said after a walkabout at the Gaya Street Sunday Market here.
He then met with Wetrom, and they were publicly photographed together in a coffee shop on Sunday afternoon.
He said Wetrom had offered his services and there was nothing wrong with that.
Shafie said Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) advisor, was also welcome to join Warisan if the latter wished to.
On Saturday, Pairin urged voters to choose and support local parties in the 15th General Election (GE15), to strengthen efforts with regards to Sabah’s claims from the Federal Government.
Wetrom has yet to make an official statement on whether he has officially joined Warisan, but he is expected to hold a press conference on the subject on Tuesday or Thursday.
Bersatu secretary-general for Sabah, Datuk Masidi Manjun said he was not saying whether Wetrom had or had not left the party for Warisan, but said that by implication, one should know the answer.
“Why would you make an effort to sit down and be photographed with Shafie at Gaya Street this morning?” he asked.
On Saturday, it was reported that Wetrom had caused a stir as social media videos showed him talking about leaving the party and joining the opposition, Parti Warisan.
In the video, apparently taken on Saturday, he was seen telling groups of supporters that he would be contesting under the Warisan ticket for Kota Marudu.
A picture of the “W” hand sign of Warisan with supporters was also circulated.
According to sources, Wetrom has been considering running for the Kota Marudu parliament seat currently held by GRS component Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.
