It’s not always about the numbers, says Bung over turncoat reps

KOTA KINABALU: Having integrity is better than having more numbers in the state assembly, Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has declared.

He said he would rather be backed by fewer assemblymen who were loyal and possessed integrity, than reps who were unscrupulous.

He was commenting on the move by four renegade Sabah Umno assemblymen who announced they will join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The four – Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk Arshad Bistari (Tempasuk) and Datuk Hamid Awang (Balung) – announced this in a press conference here yesterday.

“Actually, I had foreseen the jumping of the four Umno assemblymen as some have been served with show-cause letters for not supporting Sabah Barisan-Umno during the political crisis in January,” Bung Moktar said when contacted.

The former deputy chief minister said those issued with the letters were supposed to respond by tomorrow.

Besides James, Jasnih and Hamid, the other issued a show-cause letter was Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.

Arshad was not slapped with one as he was not part of the January crisis while Shahelmey, who supports Hajiji, has not quit Umno.

Also at the joint press conference was Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, who quit Parti Warisan in October 2021 and applied to join GRS.

Bung Moktar said James’ name was brought up and it was suggested that he be sacked from Umno as he was said to have campaigned for a Perikatan Nasional candidate in the 15th General Election last November.