KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah should not boast but instead accept the fact that it is home of ‘political frogs’.
“This so-called coalition government led by Warisan is possible because of the seats contributed by ‘frogs’, so stop bragging and face the reality that your party is in power because of irresponsible leapfrogging,” Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Youth chief Christopher Mandut told Warisan Secretary-General Loretto S Padua.
In a statement yesterday, Mandut said since the last general election, Warisan had lured an UPKO, seven Umno, two PBS assemblymen to cross over to the ruling party, while four UPKO assemblymen helped form the coalition government.
“Why blame PBS President for losing our assemblymen. They were dishonest and betrayed their voters.
“Instead of bragging, Warisan should instead ask both Datuk Anita Baranting (Tandek) and Abdul Rahman Kongkawan (Labuk) to vacate their seats they won on PBS and the Barisan Nasional ticket and recontest under Warisan banner. Then we will see if their constituents support their decisions,” he said in responding to Loretto’s recent statement claiming PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili is to be blamed for failing to convince his members and assemblymen on the party’s political relevance.
Mandut stressed that the fact remains that in Malaysia, elected leaders would not simply dump the party that made them ‘Yang Berhormat’ and join the ruling party unless lured by personal benefits and promised considerations.
“In the case of Labuk Assemblyman (Abdul Rahman Kongkawang), he was persistently enticed and disturbed for the last five months as testified by the Warisan President,” he said.
Mandut, instead, asked Loretto if he can deny that the current Warisan government was formed based on crossovers and party hoppers?
“So better look at yourself in your own mirror. You are in power because of dirty politics.
“As a lawyer, you should know the meaning of integrity and honesty. Tell our former assemblymen to do the right thing – vacate their seats and recontest,” Mandut urged.