PPBM a threat to Warisan, not Sabah Umno – Bung Moktar

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Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin

KOTA KINABALU:  Parti Warisan Sabah will feel the threat of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia  (PPBM) spreading its wings to Sabah, said Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin.

However, Bung Mokhtar said Umno would benefit from the move.

He said around 80,000 members who have left Umno are ready to join PPBM.

“Those who stay with us are genuine and true to Umno’s struggle. We will continue to play our role as the opposition,” he told a news portal yesterday.

Former Sabah Umno deputy information chief Datuk Ramlee Marhaban, who left Sabah Umno with other Sabah Umno leaders last December thanked PPBM chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for listening to the request of Sabahans.

He confirmed that all the former Sabah Umno leaders, now independents, would join the national-based party once it was officially established here.

“I think this is a good move because it would only benefit Sabahans in the long run. I don’t understand why some people are unhappy about it. Dr Mahathir already said it will strengthen the state government.

“Personally, I think this will ensure Sabah will be able to continue its economic development in a much smoother way,” he said.

Ramlee claimed that the majority of those who left Sabah Umno did not want to join Warisan.

He urged Sabahans, especially Sabah PH and Warisan leaders, to look at this latest development positively and not try to stop PPBM’s decision.

“It would certainly stabilise our political situation in Sabah and the people would be happier in the end,” he claimed.

Former Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Masidi Manjun, who had also left the party, said the independents MPs, assemblymen, senators and all former Sabah Umno division chiefs who left the party would hold a meeting soon after the return of the group’s de facto leader and Sulaman assemblyman Datuk Hajiji Noor from his pilgrimage on February 23.I