KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal announced the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly to pave the way for a state election, which has to be held within 60 days.
Mohd Shafie made the announcement today at the Sabah State Administrative Centre here after obtaining the consent of Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
This came after several elected representatives from the Shafie-led state government defected to support former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman on Wednesday, in a move to topple the Parti Warisan Sabah state government.
Shafie, who is president of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), said he had an audience with Tun Juhar last night and this morning to express his intention of dissolving the state assembly.
"I've written a letter of consent, and this morning, I presented it to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (TYT), who has consented to it.
"We must understand that as Chief Minister of the day, I can request for the dissolution and under the state constitution, the TYT has the right to allow a dissolution or not," he said at a press conference here, today.
Shafie said that under the Constitution, he will remain caretaker of the state government for 60 days; and the Election Commission has within that period to set a date for a snap election.
Meanwhile, the Senallang assemblyman and Semporna MP expressed disappointment with several elected members who had betrayed the Warisan-PH-Upko pact.
"I know the pressure put on them, but there are those who were bought over. Just like handicraft, easily sold and purchased.
"Despite the heavy pressure we are going through, we must... protect the Sabah people. In our mind, we need to protect Sabah and not my post as Chief Minister.
"I am sure Sabahans are wise, and they have the power to decide the government... I see it is about time that we return the mandate to the 'rakyat'," he said.
Shafie reiterated that even if Musa's group has an audience with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri and has majority support, the state assembly has been dissolved.
"I am still the caretaker for 60 days, and we will still administer the state until the time comes, then we will decide.
"Whether to choose (Datuk Seri) Hajiji (Noor), (Datuk Seri Bung) Mokthar Radin, (Datuk Seri) Anifah Aman, (Tan Sri) Musa (Aman) or Shafie," he said.
On Wednesday, Musa called for a sudden press conference, during which he claimed to have obtained a simple majority to take-over the state government.
Musa said he is leading a new coalition, formed with elected representatives of various parties, including from the Warisan-Pakatan Harapan-Upko pact.
The Sungai Sibuga assemblyman also said that he will seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri to present him with declaration letters confirming the support of elected representatives.
In the 14th General Election in 2018, Barisan Nasional (BN) won 29 seats in the 60-seat state assembly, with Warisan garnering 21 seats, followed by Pakatan Harapan with eight seats, and Sabah Star with two seats.
In the upcoming snap election, 73 seats will be up for contest following the addition of 13 new seats approved by Parliament last year.
More to come