THE leader who led the exodus of all Sabah Umno elected representatives last year has hailed Parti Warisan Sabah president Mohd Shafie Apdal for accepting Bersatu’s plans to spread its wings to Sabah.

Hajiji Mohd Noor and his group are among those who had invited Bersatu to the state.

“It shows Shafie is a matured and experienced leader who aspires to see the people of Sabah united, regardless of race.

“Strong ties between the state and federal governments will enable a more effective  continuity of development,” he said.
Hajiji is presently in Mecca performing umrah, and will return to Sabah on February 23. He is expected to meet the faction of lawmakers he led out of Umno to discuss their position on Bersatu.

On December 12, Hajiji was among nine state assemblymen and five MPs who left Sabah Umno but maintained their ties with state opposition bloc Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS).  

Bersatu leaders were present when the group announced their departure, but the ex-Umno leaders insisted they will remain independents. It is learnt that the ex-Umno leaders have applied to join Bersatu.

GBS was formed in October by former Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders and comprises Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah.

It is unclear if Hajiiji and his group, who have yet to declare their Bersatu membership, will continue their association with GBS now that Warisan is not opposed to Bersatu setting up a chapter in Sabah.

Bersatu chairman and Prime Minster Dr Mahathir had said the plan to form a state chapter was not to oppose the Warisan-led government but to strengthen it.

Hajiji today said his group will continue to cooperate with the state government for the betterment Sabahans and Sabah. – February 19, 2019.