KOTA KINABALU – Amid the political impasse in the state, another Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblyman is opposing the coalition’s move to end political ties with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Pantai Dalit assemblyman Jasnih Daya, who is the state assistant finance minister, said he was aware of the risk but ready to accept reprisals or sacking from BN linchpin Umno.
In a statement today, Jasnih claimed that he was again asked by Sabah BN leaders to sign a statutory declaration to support the change of government, but he refused.
He said the declaration was to change the current GRS-BN government to a BN-Warisan line-up that could see Sabah BN chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as chief minister.
“I have made a decision to not support the government change because of several factors, viewed from my professional and personal angles.
“I will continue to support the current government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor as long as I am the Pantai Dalit assemblyman.”
Jasnih said he will not change his stand nor collude with Warisan whom he opposed in the 2020 state election.
“I believe that Hajiji has given 100% to the people in the state, and deserves a chance to serve his term, which has another two years to go.
“We only live once, and I have made this decision not only to protect my principles but also the dignity of my family and my race,” he said.
“Before I am ousted from Umno, I would like to thank the support of those in Umno who have made me deputy Tuaran division chief, and I hope Allah protects us all.”
Jasnih is the second BN assemblyman who has openly opposed Sabah BN’s move to form a new government.
Earlier today, Tg Keramat assemblyman Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is Sabah community development and people’s wellbeing minister, also opposed the move to oust GRS.
GRS currently has the support of 34 assemblymen – 29 from their own ranks plus five from BN who disagreed with Bung’s decision to exit the GRS-BN pact.
Sabah’s assembly has 79 seats, and the simple majority needed to form a government is 40.
GRS now has the support of its own 29 assemblymen plus the five from BN who supposedly disagree, giving it a total of at least 34 seats.
Sources have told The Vibes GRS could garner up to 36 seats from assemblymen from smaller parties, making it tie with the 36 seats across the aisle from Bung’s 13, Warisan’s 19, KDM’s three and an independent.
This makes Pakatan Harapan’s seven lawmakers the possible kingmakers, but the seven of them have issued statements to state their continued support for Hajiji so as to prioritise political stability. – The Vibes, January 7, 2023
