The report came in the wake of the departure of Sebatik assemblyman Hassan A Gani Pg Amir yesterday. He pledged to support GRS and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Five others were alleged to be also leaving. A local news portal named them as Assaffal Alian (Tungku), Chong Chen Bin (Tanjong Kapor), Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi), Norazlinah Arif (Kunak) and Azhar Matussin (Darau).
Azhar said jokingly that his name was always popularly associated with those said to be jumping.
“I am not leaving Warisan,” he said, when contacted.
The other assemblymen made their denials on Facebook, while poking fun at the report.
Mohammad said he could only “smile looking at an old script”, adding that “I am still loyal to (Warisan president) Shafie Apdal and Warisan”.
Chong described the action of using his photo as malicious and irresponsible. “Frogs and party hopping is not part of my political dictionary,” he said. “Those who used my photo in the report have run out of ideas and intended to confuse the people.”
Assaffal simply laughed off the report, saying it was “funny” while Norazlinah said the portal got the wrong information. “But thank you for using a cute photo of mine.”
A sixth assemblyman whose name was also mentioned in the report has yet to respond to the allegations by the portal.
Speculation has been building ever since Hassan announced his decision over whether more Warisan reps will cross over to the GRS coalition.
Hassan free to choose, says Masidi
Sabah PPBM deputy chief Masidi Manjun said Warisan defector Hassan A Gani Pg Amir was free to choose his political future.
Masidi, who is also a GRS committee member, said: “I don’t want to judge on the decision, it’s entirely his discretion – I wish him luck.”
When asked if there could be more joining the GRS ranks, he said: “I really can’t speculate because politics is a very unusual game and profession – you really don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
Division chief says resignation made no impact
Warisan’s Kalabakan division chief said the party’s strength would not be adversely affected by Hassan’s departure.
Kalabakan chief Sarifuddin Hata, who is also Merotai state assemblyman, said Hassan’s departure did not make much impact on Warisan supporters “except that all the party committee members are disappointed after we have slogged to elevate him to be an elected representative”.
Hassan won the Sebatik state seat on a Warisan ticket at the state elections last year. The seat is one of four in the Kalabakan parliamentary constituency. Kukusan and Merotai were also won by Warisan candidates while Tanjung Batu was won by Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy from Perikatan Nasional.