Malaysia

Warisan rep rubbishes rumour of 6 leaving party

Assemblymen themselves told party WhatsApp group that claim is untrue, says Arunarnsin Taib

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 27 Feb 2021 2:09PM

Warisan rep rubbishes rumour of 6 leaving party — Gum Gum assemblyman Arunarnsin Taib (second from left) and Tg Papat’s Datuk Frankie Poon (second from right), along with other Warisan Plus reps, have pledged support for the alliance’s leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as state opposition chief. – REBECCA CHONG/The Vibes pic, February 27, 2021

by Rebecca Chong

SANDAKAN – A Parti Warisan Sabah assemblyman has refuted speculation that another six of his colleagues are ready to quit the party and support the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government.

Gum Gum rep Arunarnsin Taib said the six, in a WhatsApp group of party assemblymen, have denied the rumour.

“They are in the group, and they all strongly denied the accusation. We do not know who is responsible for creating such a rumour, but we can assure you that it is not true.”

A photo of the assemblymen, captioned “Six more Warisan reps to leave party and support GRS?”, has made the rounds on Facebook and WhatsApp.

They are Assaffal Alian (Tungku), Mohomad Mohamarin (Banggi), Azhar Matussin (Darau), Norazlinah Arid (Kunak), Ben Chong (Tg Kapur) and Daud Yusof (Bongawan).

The picture, which also has the image of an unnamed Warisan leader who used to be in the state cabinet, was shared widely after Sebatik rep Hassan A. Gani Pg Amir announced that he is quitting Warisan to pledge support for the state ruling coalition.

A post alleging six Warisan reps’ impending departure from the party that has made the rounds on social media. – Screen grab, February 27, 2021

“Hassan left all the Warisan WhatsApp groups a day after he announced he was leaving the party. He was quiet in the groups before that,” Arunarnsin told a press conference with fellow Warisan assemblymen Alias Sani (Sekong) and George Hiew (Karamunting).

Also present were Sabah DAP leaders, including acting chairman Datuk Frankie Poon, who is also Tg Papat rep, Sandakan MP Vivian Wong and Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong.

Wong and five other reps from the Warisan Plus alliance pledged their undivided support for party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as state opposition chief.

They said there is no chance of them leaving the pact, assuring that they will try their best to get through tough times as the opposition and continue serving the people. –The Vibes, February 27, 2021