UMNO Sabah’s Rozman Isli is staying put despite being lured several times to hop over to Pakatan Harapan.

The Labuan lawmaker wants to be part of a “credible opposition pact” for now, instead of joining parties like Parti Warisan Sabah. 

“I have been invited by many and also I have been pushed by many quarters, including leaders of government agencies in my constituency, to leave Umno and join Pakatan Harapan for the sake of Labuan. 

“They even challenged me if I have the courage to do that for the sake of Labuan,” Rozman told The Malaysian Insight. 

Rozman came under the spotlight recently when he joined former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin and former foreign affairs minister Anifah Aman to stay put in Parliament when their colleagues in the opposition staged a walkout on Monday.

The walkout by the opposition lawmakers was a sign of protest against the appointment of Mohd Ariff Md Yusof as the speaker.

Barisan Nasional and PAS lawmakers alleged that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not give a 14-day notice to the Parliament secretary on Ariff’s nomination as speaker.

Despite breaking ranks, Rosman, the former Labuan Umno division chief, will remain with the party, for now. 

“On a personal level, I prefer to be an opposition MP and play my role effectively, including pushing further the development of Labuan. 

“I will do anything morally right for the sake of Labuan and its people. However, I don’t see leaving Umno will make any difference. At least for now,” Rozman added. 

But he hinted that he might join PH in the future.

“I won’t rush. We have ample of time. Yes, maybe there will be some added advantage later and I always believe that Labuan must be close to (the) Sabah state government,” Rozman said. 

The former Labuan Corporation chairman added he was willing to meet Dr Mahathir over the development of his constituency. 

“I plan to meet PM and discuss with him Labuan’s economy. I wish the prime minister would take the Labuan Corporation chairmanship and drive the development of Labuan.”

In the 14th general election, Razman, who is a two-term MP, defeated Warisan’s Noor Halimi Zaini by 1,450 votes.

However, there was talk that Rozman wanted to switch sides to Warisan before GE14. – July 18, 2018.