KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is expected to hold a press conference and possibly annouce the formation of a new state government.
Shafie was earlier at Istana Negeri to seek an audience with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin after several assemblymen from the Sabah Barisan Nasional-Star government decided to join forces with Warisan.
Shafie’s convoy arrived at the palace at 4.04pm, about 20 minutes after word about the defections of five Sabah BN assemblymen began spreading on social media.
A Warisan party aide said a press conference would be held when Shafie returned from Istana Negeri.
Assemblymen from Warisan and its partners, DAP and PKR, were also waiting for Shafie.
Earlier at noon, Datuk Hamisa Samat of Tanjong Batu and Sebatik assemblyman Datuk Abdul Muis Picho were seen at Shafie’s house.
The two Upko assemblymen were also with Sabah BN during the swearing in ceremony of Tan Sri Musa Aman as chief minister at Istana Negeri last night before they were ushered out, according to an Upko source.
Sabah BN and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku agreed to an alliance to form the state government.
Star president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan made the decision with the agreement of Bingkor assemblyman Robert Tawik.
Yesterday, Upko acting president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau announced the party’s exit from BN and agreed to form an alliance with Warisan.