ELEVEN Sabah reps will defect from their respective parties to join Gabungan Bersatu Sabah ahead of tomorrow’s court decision on the chief minister’s suit.

The assemblymen are believed to be from Parti Warisan Sabah, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko), and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

If true, the present Warisan-Pakatan Harapan-Upko government will face a shake-up.

A source close to the GBS group said the defectors would join Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR).

“The two PBRS and Upko members will likely be Elron Angin (PBRS-Sook), Bobbey Suan (Upko-Nabawan), and Masiung Banah (Upko-Kuamut).

“There’s also a possibility former Umno man Saddi Abdul Rahman (Sukau) might join,” he said.

Warisan-PH-Upko at present has 44 assemblymen, including six appointed assemblymen, while GBS has 21, including independent assemblymen.

The GBS alliance comprises Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah Umno, STAR, and PBRS.

The defections will come in view of the Sabah high court’s decision on the chief minister suit tomorrow.

According to STAR’s Jeffrey Kitingan, Musa Aman will have the upper hand as the present constitution states there should only be one legitimate chief minister, that is, the first who was appointed.

Speaking on the defection, he confirmed that a function will be held soon to welcome two Sabah assemblymen, namely Elron and Suan.

Elron has already indicated that he will leave PBRS due to his squabble with party president Joseph Kurup and his son and party deputy president Arthur Kurup.

Upko accepted Suan’s resignation yesterday.

When asked about the Warisan reps, Jeffrey made no mention of names but said: “We are constantly in talks with their leaders. Anything can happen at this point.”

It is understood STAR amended the party constitution to expand the number of Supreme Council members from two at present to 10, allowing newcomers to enter the party with positions.

The source said two of the seats will be for Jeffrey and Robert Tawfiq, the STAR rep who won in Bingkor in the polls, while the remaining eight will be for the four Upko and PBRS lawmakers, and remaining four for the Warisan reps.

“So this means Elron, Suan, Masiung, and James Ratib (Sugut assemblyman) will get seats in the council,” said the source, without naming the remaining Warisan reps.

“In due time, the Warisan defectors will be known,” he said.

He dismissed rumours of Umno-turned-independent assemblyman Saddi Abdul Rahman and Kimanis MP Anifah Aman joining the party. – November 6, 2018.