Despite Dr M’s claims, Sabah Bersatu to become reality, says former state Umno leader

(The Star) – Former Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, who was part of the party’s Dec 12, 2018 exodus, remains upbeat over the possibility of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) spreading its wings to the state.

Hajiji said he was currently in contact with Bersatu leaders and confirmed that the party will indeed set up shop in the state, despite Prime Minister and Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s assurance that it has no plans to go into Sabah.

“I can tell you Bersatu will come to Sabah very soon. That I can assure you,” he said, without revealing if he was part of the team engineering the party’s move into the state.

Hajiji, who is Sulaman assemblyman, said he would remain an independent for the time being.

“We are still independent assemblymen and have no plans to join any party.

“We will continue working with other leaders from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah STAR and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) under the Gabungan Bersatu Sabah coalition,” he added.

Hajiji, however, stressed that he will not be joining Parti Warisan Sabah and dismissed rumours that some of the ex-Sabah Umno leaders will be rejoining the party.

“I don’t think so. Those who left won’t go back to Umno but will find a new political platform instead,” he told reporters as he left the Chinese New Year open house hosted by PBS at Hakka Hall here on Wednesday (Feb 6).

So far only Tempasuk assemblyman Datuk Musbah Jamli has gone against what was mutually agreed to by former Sabah Umno elected representatives upon leaving the party in December, by joining Warisan in January.

Hajiji has criticised Musbah’s move, saying that it was about protecting his own personal interests.

Musbah was among nine Umno assemblymen, six MPs, two senators and 21 Umno division chiefs who quit the party, led by Hajiji.