With six other reps from Umno and Upko ready to jump ship, Shafie now claims the majority, allowing him to form the state government.

Warisan-PH had won 29 seats at the general election on Wednesday, tied with Barisan Nasional.

The six BN assemblymen that he named were: Tanjong Batu rep Hamisa Samat (Umno), Sebatik rep Abdul Muis Picho (Umno), Paginatan rep Abidin Madingkir (Upko), Kadamaian rep Ewon Benedick (Upko), Kemabong rep Jamawi Jaafar (Umno) and Balung rep Osman Jamal (Upko).

Shafie told reporters that he had sent a formal letter and communicated with Sabah governor Juhar Mahiruddin that he has more than the simple majority needed to form the government.

He said he has also obtained statutory declarations from the 35 elected representatives supporting him as chief minister.

“This is the due process of the law. It is spelt out in the state constitution that the leader needs to command the majority to be appointed,” he said.

Last night Musa Aman was sworn in as the chief minister after the BN obtained a simple majority to form the state government with two STAR candidates, including its president Jeffrey Kitingan, throwing support to BN.