NEWS that 11 Sabah lawmakers were poised to change sides did little to ruffle feathers as defectors have become the mainstay of the state’s politics, say observers.

The state assemblymen were said to be ready to join Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS), made up of former members of Sabah’s Barisan Nasional (BN) pact, if the high court had decided to uphold former chief minister Musa Aman’s suit against Warisan president Shafie Apdal.

The court, however, ruled that Shafee is the rightful chief minister. Musa’s lawyers have filed an appeal against the decision.

However, the court’s ruling may not put to a stop the representatives’ move to jump ship, said lawyer and veteran political observer Ansari Abdullah.

“1967, 1985, 1994 and 2018, many Sabah governments owe their rule to political frogs,” he told The Malaysian Insight, referring to the defectors.

“The frogs have their own excuses, but the bottom line is really about power and cash.

“Losing or gaining the two commodities are the real reason. Name me one political frog who was not given position or other rewards.”

On Sunday, several sources said up to 11 assemblymen will likely crossover to the opposition due to uncertainty caused by the chief minister suit.

GBS comprise of Sabah Umno, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, and currently has 21 assemblymen.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku chief Jeffrey Kitingan has confirmed that Bobbey Suan (former Upko-Nabawan) and Elron Angin (PBRS-Sook) will join them.

Two other representatives are expected to switch sides; James Ratib (Beluran) and Masiung Banah (Kuamut).

Sources said the remaining seven will be from Upko and Warisan.

Just talk

However, veteran politician Hamid Ismail believed that party hopping rumours were only created as psychological warfare, adding that the court ruling in favour of Shafie would put talks of defections to rest for now.

“There will be none and the court decision will be a tough one to dispute,” he said while referring to the high court judge’s use of a Federal Court judgement on the Perak Menteri Besar Crisis in 2009 as basis for her ruling.

In that case, the Federal Court ruled that BN’s Zambry Abdul Kadir was the rightful Perak menteri besar after he was sworn in by the Perak sultan. Critics said then that the sultan had no power to swear in Zambry unless the incumbent menteri besar was ousted through a vote in the state assembly.

Zambry took over from Nizar Jamaluddin, who was menteri besar of the then-Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government, which took power in the March 2008 elections.

Nizar’s administration, however, collapsed 10 months later following defections by three assemblymen to BN.

Musa has disputed the ruling as a breach of the Sabah constitution, but Hamid said the lower court is bound by the higher court decision.

“This is what is called binding precedent and it will be hard for Musa to overcome the Federal Court decision.

“The Perak case destroys all the arguments,” said Hamid.

Another senior political observer, Clarence Sinsua, said the ruling shuts down all possibilities of a crossover.

“I think the new guys will continue to stick to Warisan.

“The court ruling yesterday will put an end to all uncertainty whether the ruling Warisan-PH-Upko partners (are) the legitimate state government.” – November 8, 2018.