[UPDATED] Lahad Datu MP Mohamaddin Ketapi quits Bersatu, turns independent

KOTA KINABALU – Lahad Datu MP Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi has announced his decision to ditch Bersatu, barely months after leaving Warisan last November.

Stating that he was given no role in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah component party, the former tourism, arts and culture minister and Segama assemblyman said that in addition to not receiving any development allocations, he was also blocked from joining any Bersatu divisions in his constituency since entering the party about six months ago.

“When I joined Bersatu last year, I also had an exchange of thoughts with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (Sabah Bersatu chairman) and he agreed to provide the development for my constituency (Segama), but nothing had been forthcoming until now.

“I am not sure whether the allocation was not given or the delivery is late, but I thank him (Hajiji) for this,” he told reporters here, today.

Mohamaddin said he will not be joining any party at this point in time.

“But after six months (of joining Bersatu), I was given no role. I am not disappointed not to be given any role because I think Bersatu feels it is already a strong party in Lahad Datu and in Segama. 

“So there is no need for me to stay on in Bersatu as they don’t see any need for me, 

“Therefore, when I am not needed, my position in the party is just a waste of time. I am not disappointed by all this, I am actually happy,” he revealed he had stayed on with Bersatu for so long because of the promises given to him for his constituency. 

The politician left Warisan on October 29 last year and joined Sabah Bersatu on November 25 the same year. 

Additionally, Mohamaddin also left it to voters on whether he should defend his Lahad Datu federal seat, saying that if they felt otherwise, he would take leave from politics. 

In addition to being sidelined, Mohamaddin said his election machinery in Lahad Datu was also sidelined despite assisting the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government in strengthening the alliance’s political position in the state after recent elections. 

“My followers from the start expressed interest to join Bersatu via the local divisions but were rejected. 

“If we want to win elections we must be able to recruit members. But if the divisions reject its members, this means the party is already strong enough,” said Mohamaddin, sarcastically.  

He claimed that Sabah Bersatu in Lahad Datu led by Abdul Hakim Gulam Hassan has rejected plans to add more branches for Bersatu via his followers and insisted his followers join the 14 branches he had already established.

Mohamaddin said all the 14 branches are led by Abdul Hakim’s family members and that the Lahad Datu Bersatu chief is acting like he was the elected representative, instead of him.

As such he also claimed to have engaged Hajiji who is also Sabah Bersatu chairman to merge new and old members into Bersatu. 

“I am very thankful to Hajiji, that every recommendation letter for my followers to work with him, which I wrote had gone unanswered. 

“I am truly amazed by this party and the state administration and therefore thankful to him (Hajiji),” he further stated in a sarcastic manner.

Mohamaddin also said Hajiji also promised to provide him with development allocation but revealed the funds had not been forthcoming. 

He added that he was not worried about being labelled as a “political frog” because a “smart turncoat” will continue to switch parties for the betterment of the people or voters. – The Vibes, June 28, 2022