Lahad Datu MP quits Bersatu, hops to fledgling PBM

KOTA KINABALU – Bersatu’s woes in terms of its diminishing count of supporting lawmakers continue as former federal minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi officially joined Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) here today.

Mohamaddin, also the Segama state assemblyman in Sabah, was automatically made the new party’s state chief.

He said he decided to join PBM in view of its fight over the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and its clean track record. 

PBM is less than a year old, having been registered in November last year after its leadership had taken over an old party named Sarawak Workers Party and renamed it.

“Today I am officially announcing my joining PBM,” Mohamaddin told a press conference here today. 

“I chose to join PBM after scrutinising the party’s constitution – which is the basis of its formation, based on the struggle of demanding the implementation of Malaysia Agreement 1963. 

“This is important because, if not, there will be a breach of agreement. In the MA63, Sabah and Sarawak are equal partners (with Malaya),” he added.

Also present at the press conference were PBM president Datuk Larry Sng and the People’s Power Party president Kamarazaman Yaakob. 

When asked whether he will be contesting in the general election, Mohamaddin said the matter will be decided “when it is time to cross the bridge.” 

He said that he will also be holding a statewide “jelajah” (excursion) to recruit more members for PBM.

Mohamaddin claimed that over 100 branches from Lahad Datu, comprising his political followers will also be joining PBM, adding that thousands will be joining with him in the party later.

Sng meanwhile announced that PBM’s political bureau had also decided to appoint Mohamaddin to be the party’s Sabah liaison chief. 

Mohamaddin replaces Rahimah Majid in the position. Sng said that she has been notified of the changes and that she will have to accept the decision. 

“The replacement was one of the matters being agreed to in the political bureau. We have not received any rejection regarding this matter. 

“I think sometimes we have to make some sacrifices to accommodate and expand the party,” he said. 

Sng added that Mohamaddin will also be the pro tem Lahad Datu divisional chief for the time being until the annual general meeting there is held

With the inclusion of Mohamaddin into PBM, the party now has four MPs. 

The others are Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang seat, formerly in Bersatu), Steven Choong Shiau Yoon (Tebrau, formerly PKR) and Sng himself (Julau, formerly PKR).

Both Choong and Sng were serving as independents who had declared their support for Bersatu-led coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN). 

PBM currently has six divisions, namely Papar, Kudat, Keningau, Tenom, Batu Sapi and Semporna. 

Sng said now that Mohamaddin has joined PBM, the party will form a new leadership structure in the state to be registered with the Registrar of Societies. – The Vibes, August 28, 2022