KOTA KINABALU – The four former Bersatu MPs from Sabah who are now facing the risk of losing their seats complied with the laws when they quit Bersatu, said Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman said there have been many speculations over the status of the lawmakers but only those within the GRS circle are aware of the realities of the situation.
“If we listen to all the talks, there are many speculations. But I leave it to the speaker to come out with a good decision.
“In reality, all of them have complied with the law and their actions did not contravene with the anti-party hopping law,” said Hajiji when met during his visit to homes damaged by the recent high-tide incident in Kg Tg Aru Baru here today.
The four MPs, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (Papar), Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan (Batu Sapi), Johathan Yassin (Ranau), and Matbali Musah (Sipitang) are now in a delicate situation after Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee filed a notice over their questionable status as lawmakers after they defected from the Bersatu.
The four MPs are now believed to be direct members of GRS.
On December 29, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul said he will decide in 21 days whether they should vacate their seats, or not.
The controversy arose after Hajiji announced that all Bersatu members in Sabah resigned from the party on December 10 and became direct members of GRS.
Hajiji said the four MPs had also given their explanation to the speaker after the Kiandee filed the notice on December 29, last week.
On another development, Hajiji said he will announce the new party the former Bersatu leaders will be part of soon after leaving Bersatu.
It was rumoured that the politicians will join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Bersatu, a little-known party which contested 28 seats but lost all of them in the Sabah election in September 2020. – The Vibes, January 3, 2023
