[UPDATED] Warisan loses 2 more: Peter Anthony exits over expansion to peninsula, to start own party

KOTA KINABALU – Melalap assemblyman Datuk Peter Anthony today confirmed his departure from Warisan, saying the party has gone off-track from its original struggle when it looked to expand to Peninsular Malaysia.

To counter his disagreements with Warisan’s expansion plans, he will be setting up a new party, but remained mum about the details.

He only disclosed that the party has been registered and will be made public early next month.

“We will wait and see if other reps will join our party once we announce it early next month. Who knows if there are reps who would ‘fall in love’ with this new party?

“People’s representatives in Sabah should let go of political conflicts and be united in developing the state. There is no use in arguing. I believe with this new collaboration and unity (new local party), we can develop the state. 

Like Sarawak, Sabah, too, needs a united party that is strong. I fight for the rakyat, but when we are working alone and not with the leaders in the state, how do we help the people in need? 

“Warisan went off-track after it decided to spread its wings to the peninsula, when Sabahans just want a truly local party to fight for them,” he said in a press conference today.

He hinted that his new party will be friendly to the state’s ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

“I think Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal is aware of my move.

“We have our own choices in setting up a party. Shafie also has his own direction, and so do we,” he said.

Anthony added that he is prepared for any legal implications that may come his way for leaving Warisan, including re-contesting his seat or paying a penalty.

“But that will not stop me from forming a new party.”

He also denied that his decision to leave Warisan was tied to his ongoing court case.

More than 100 supporters waited for Anthony at Kota Kinabalu International Airport here today. 

Yesterday, he had invited the media to the press conference without mentioning his departure.

Anthony brings with him Limbahau assemblyman and Warisan man Datuk Juil Nuatim.

Juil is also a member of KDM Malaysia (Pertubuhan Kadazan Dusun Murut Malaysia), a non-government organisation Anthony heads. Anthony is former Warisan vice-president. 

Latest in string of Warisan resignations

His departure from the party today was much talked about yesterday after a source told The Vibes of his move.

Three Warisan reps have left the party for the ruling camp this year, including Sebatik assemblyman Hassan A. Gani on February 25, Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Yusof Yacob on October 3, and Segama assemblyman Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi, who joined Bersatu on November 26. 

With Anthony and Juil’s departure, Warisan now has seven MPs and 17 assemblymen.

Earlier this month, Anthony, who is former Sabah infrastructure development minister, was ordered to enter his defence on a charge of falsifying a letter from the office of the Universiti Malaysia Sabah deputy vice-chancellor for system maintenance contract work at the university in 2014.

The court fixed January 3 to 7 next year for the hearing.

The prosecution closed its case on September 21 after calling 15 witnesses, who included former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, and former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi. – The Vibes, December 28, 2021