KOTA KINABALU – Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking cited personal “political reasons” as to why he thinks politicians he calls “friends” have abandoned their struggles.
He said this via his Facebook account after news that party member Sebatik assemblyman Hassan A. Gani Pg Amir had left Warisan last night.
Leiking, who is also Penampang MP, said politicians jump ship because they cannot bear the challenges of being in the opposition.
“The event where an assemblyman from Warisan left our party to support the government of the day made me and some comrades remind ourselves in our discussions...We have been through some challenges politically, but we never wavered despite all the shortcomings.
“We cannot negotiate or compromise what we are elected (to do) or who we are as individuals. We were the government for 22 months (federal) and 26 months (Sabah).
“In that time, we lost friends due to their political reasons. They left and criticised us in the process.”
Leiking said the culture of crossing over among politicians may be a “way of life” and for some, it is “a norm”.
“We are taught to forgive (as it is divine) and we must (forgive), but we will never forget how they abandoned their cause easily and cannot bear the cause of the opposition.”
Hassan said in a statement last night that he had lost confidence with the Warisan leadership for associating with Pakatan Harapan.
He criticised PH leaders for trying to reject the 2021 budget – aimed at addressing the pandemic – and destabilising the federal government by attempting to oust Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. – The Vibes, February 26, 2021