KOTA KINABALU: Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has dismissed claims that the party is attempting to “buy over” assemblymen amid uneasiness in the newly-formed Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led government.
“Our commitment has always been to integrity, and leadership must be earned through the trust of the people.
“Warisan respects the mandate of the people and the democratic process that guides our state,” he said.
Warisan won 25 seats in the Nov 29 Sabah polls.
GRS, which won 29 seats, was backed by three Upko assemblymen and five Independents, with six Barisan Nasional assemblymen joining ranks on Monday to form the new state government.
Shafie expressed sincere appreciation to all those who backed Warisan.
“We will continue to fulfil the role entrusted to us with dignity, consistency and an unwavering dedication to serving Sabah,” he added.
An online news portal quoted an unnamed GRS insider claiming that Warisan was attempting to pull the rug under Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s newly-formed state government by offering positions to the six Barisan and five Independent assemblymen.
The report claimed this had left GRS with no choice but to bring Barisan into the coalition to prevent a collapse.
Hajiji had included Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Jafry Ariffin in his Cabinet line-up, giving him the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister portfolio.
