Labuk rep Abdul Rahman Kongkawan, a first-term assemblyman, announced his departure from the party he spent almost 30 years with in a packed press conference before Chief Minister Shafie Apdal today.
This is the second defection from PBS to Warisan after Tandek assemblyman Anita Baranting, the former PBS women’s chief, quit the party in March.
Rahman, a former PBS vice-president, said he had long wanted to join Warisan but was waiting for the opportune moment.
He said he told the PBS leadership about his decision yesterday and they had accepted it.
Shafie, who is also Warisan president, welcomed Rahman into the fold along with PBS and Umno members from Labuk and Beluran who had likewise left the opposition.
Warisan and its allies Pakatan Harapan and Upko now have a total of 52 elected representatives in the 60-seat state assembly.
A total of 10 assemblymen have joined Warisan from Umno, PBS and Upko since the May 9 general election last year.
Warisan now has 31 assemblymen while DAP has six, PPBM nine, PKR two and Upko four.
On the opposition bench, PBS is left with only four seats: Kiulu, Matunggong, Kundasang and Tamparuli. Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) has three while former chief minister Musa Aman (Sungai Sibuga) is Sabah Umno’s solitary rep.
Rahman defeated four others including his closest contender, Ramsah Tasim of Warisan, to win Labuk after raking in 6,665 votes in GE14.
In thanking Shafie for accepting him into the party, Rahman said he joined Warisan to ensure his constituency would receive the most development assistance possible under the state government.
“There are two districts in my area – Beluran and Telupid – which cover a big area,” he said.
He said he saw no point in politicking everyday at the expense of his constituents, whose welfare would be ignored as a result.
Rahman, who was formerly with PBS’ committee on illegal immigrants, said he informed PBS president Maximus Ongkili about his decision to leave, and Ongkili was sad about it.
“We (PBS and Warisan) have been fighting for a long time, so it is understandable that he is not happy.
“But they have to accept this reality. This is not for personal gain but for the people,” he said.
Shafie said Rahman joined without any conditions and on his own accord.
“Actually, he came to meet me during the Sandakan by-election,” he said.
He hoped that with Rahman on board, he could help spread the government’s agenda for development, particularly among his constituents.
Asked if there would be others from the opposition joining Warisan, Shafie said he welcomed them but stressed that the party would need to screen them first.
“We won’t just accept anyone,” he said.