Pakatan's last-minute U-turn derailed move to oust Hajiji, say sources

KOTA KINABALU: A move to oust Hajiji Noor was derailed after Sabah Pakatan Harapan pulled back its support, say sources.

Pakatan was supposed to be at the Parti Warisan-organised press conference at Pacific Sutera on Thursday (Jan 5) evening, but they seemed to have had a change of mind and shifted towards Gabungan Rakyat Sabah at the last minute, it added.

"As of noon, the seven Sabah PH assemblymen were in agreement with the plans to oust Hajiji as Chief Minister but they met up with Hajiji in the afternoon at his office before deciding to join forces with Hajiji," said a source.

According to the source, the move was likely to open doors for them to become part of the Sabah government including being appointed ministers.

Sabah Pakatan Harapan comprises of Datuk Christina Liew of Api-Api (PKR), Datuk Frankie Poon Fung Ming (Tanjung Papat - DAP), Datuk Ewon Benedick (Kadamaian-Upko), Phoong Jin Zhe (Luyang-DAP), Jannie Lasimbang (Kepayan-DAP), Tan Lee Fatt (Likas-DAP) and Inanam assemblyman, Peto Galim - PKR.

It was speculated that Liew would return as state Tourism, Culture and Environment minister while either Poon or Phoong would be the deputy chief minister in the GRS-led state government if Umno’s Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Barisan Nasional were out of the game.

The seven were seen in a GRS gathering, where Sabah PAS' sole assemblyman was also present.

A photo of the gathering was later circulated on various social media platforms.

On Thursday night, Sabah Pakatan Harapan issued a statement confirming their support for Hajiji, and that they would not agree to a backdoor government.

The statement also mentioned that these seven Pakatan assemblymen did not sign any statutory declarations in support of any party or anyone in particular, and that their stand to work with the current Hajiji-led state government, applies until the end of his term in 2025.