Shafie set to lead new state opposition pact
(The Star) – Sabah’s opposition landscape is set for a re-shape with former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal set to spearhead a new state opposition alliance.
Shafie, who is the Semporna MP, has won over two PKR Kadazandusun elected representatives to help him in the effort.
They are Penampang MP Darell Leiking, who recently quit as a PKR vice-president, and Moyog assemblyman Terence Siambun, who is expected to follow suit soon.
Besides the duo, Shafie also has the backing of Sulayabayan assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakong who quit Umno on June 27.
Sources said Shafie would take over the 2013-registered Pertubuhan Perpaduan Rakyat Kebangsaan Sabah (Perpaduan), which will be re-badged for his new initiative.
His group is expected to work with the United Sabah Alliance, comprising STAR Sabah led by Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Parti Cinta Sabah led by Datuk Wilfred Bumburing, and Sabah Progressive Party led by former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
Shafie, a former Cabinet minister, has yet to indicate how his party will cooperate with the local and national Opposition.
Leiking, who said he had tendered his resignation from PKR, would only say: “We will work with all forces. We are not here to fight the Opposition.”
According to sources, Siambun has tendered his resignation to PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The irony is that although their move may bolster the state Opposition, it will further weaken the national Opposition which pulled off its best performance in Sabah in 2013 by winning 11 (PKR seven and DAP four) of the 60 state seats and three of the 25 parliamentary seats in Sabah.
PKR has so far lost three – Kadamaian, Tamparuli and Matunggong – of the seven state seats it won to defections.
DAP lost its Luyang assemblyman Hiew King Cheu to the MCA while the party’s first and only Kadazandusun assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosie (Kapayan) is said to be also contemplating a move out.
