KOTA KINABALU – A former Warisan leader has refuted claims that the party’s assemblymen were obligated to repay the party for financing them to be candidates in the Sabah election in 2020.
Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Yusof Yacob said they were not bound by any sort of agreement, as they only took a loyalty oath and signed a letter, promising to vacate their seats if they decide to leave Warisan after the 16th state election.
“We didn’t sign (anything saying) we have to pay millions of ringgit if we leave the party…no such thing. The only thing we did was take an oath of allegiance.
“We were even coerced to take the oath. If we did not take the oath, the party would not have allowed us to become candidates.
“So what choice did we have?” Yusof told reporters at a press conference organised by Sabah investment arm, Qhazanah Bhd here today.
Also present at the function was Petagas assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari, another one of the 11 assemblymen who had also left the party.
Pressured
Yusof cited Warisan’s inability to vacate the Sebatik state seat in court as evidence that the Sabah-based party lacks the basis to reclaim damages from turncoats.
“But let them do it. This is democracy…I think Datuk Seri (Shafie Apdal) was pressured by his men. They can try,” he said.
On Saturday, Warisan president, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, announced the party’s intention to pursue legal action to claim compensation from 11 of its former elected representatives who defected after the state election in 2020.
He cited the case of former federal minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, who was ordered to pay RM10 million to PKR for defecting in 2020, as precedent.
Shafie said Warisan had financially supported them in the state election close to three years ago.
The other assemblymen who defected are Hassan A. Gani Pg Amir (Sebatik), Datuk Peter Anthony (Melalap), Juil Nuatim (Limbahau), Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi (Segama), Rina Jainal (Kukusan), Norazlinah Arif (Kunak), Mohamad Mohamarin (Banggi), Chong Chen Bin (Tg Kapor), Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari (Petagas), and Hiew Vun Zin (Karamunting). – The Vibes, July 17, 2023
