KOTA KINABALU: Party Warisan Sabah (Warisan) vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony today announced his departure from the party to form a new multiracial local party.
The Melalap state assemblyman said the new party will be supporting the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led state government.
Anthony said forming a coalition with the state government was the best way to resolve all problems faced in Sabah.
He cited the example of the recent Sarawak state election in which Gabungan Party Sarawak (GPS) romped to a decisive victory under the leadership of Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg.
The win, he said, showed that the people tended to choose their local party.
"I feel it is time for us leaders in Sabah to forget the political strife and develop the state of Sabah.
"Let Sarawak be governed by the leaders of Sarawak, while Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur or Penang are governed by their respective leaders there.
"For Sabah, we must focus and put our entire efforts to develop the state of Sabah.
"There is no point in arguing politically when many Sabahans are still oppressed and left behind in terms of development," he told reporters at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport arrival hall (KKIA), here today.
On his new party, Anthony said it would be a multiracial Sabah-based party.
"Sabahans need a party that truly champions the rights of the people of Sabah and that is what's most important to us.
"Warisan has strayed from its original objective. The principle of 'Sabah for Sabahans' has been abandoned when they spread their wings to Peninsular Malaysia.
"It's evident that the people of Sabah want a platform that is skewed towards the leadership of the state. That is the most important thing apart from unity among all races," he said.
Meanwhile, Anthony denied claims that his decision to leave Warisan had anything to do with his court case on charges of using false documents in connection with the Mechanical and Electrical System (M&E) maintenance and service contract at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
He maintained that the decision was based on the "voice of the grassroots" who are clamouring for a local party to fight for Sabah's rights, and that he was leaving the other matter to the courts.
Asked by reporters if he had discussed his departure with Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, he said everything was fine.
"It should be okay (there should be no problem)," he said.
He said he was prepared for repercussions from Warisan, including legal action.
"If the courts decide that I should vacate the Melalap seat, I am ready. I leave it to the courts."
Anthony also did not rule out the possibility that other state assemblymen, including from other opposition parties, could join him in the new party.
"Maybe later. I will make an announcement in the near future and if anyone is interested, chances are we are ready to give them an opportunity to be with me in this new party."
Anthony also told reporters that he would send a letter on the matter to the Speaker of the Sabah State Assembly (DUN), Datuk Kadzim M Yahya.
Anthony is the fourth Warisan assemblyman to leave the party after Sebatik's Hassan A Gani Pg Amir, Sindumin's Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and Segama's Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi.