PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said the political situation in Sabah today “looks calm” following yesterday’s attempted coup by Umno, in cahoots with Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), to unseat chief minister Hajiji Noor.

“It looks like the situation is calm now and I don’t think there is any turmoil,” he said when responding to reporters’ questions on the latest situation in the state after performing his Friday prayers in Putrajaya.

He said he had not seen any new political developments and he was also just informed that there were some issues.

Anwar said he had asked Hajiji to discuss it with “our friends in Sabah.”

Sabah Umno assemblymen, who had gathered at the party’s headquarters in Kota Kinabalu yesterday sparked talk of a coup.

Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin is widely speculated to get the sack from the state cabinet as Hajiji had been reported to be reshuffling his Cabinet following the failed attempt.

Bung is one of the three deputy chief ministers and is also the state works minister.

The portal Free Malaysia Today, quoting a source, reported tourism and culture minister and Umno state assemblyman for Sukau, Jafry Ariffin, would also face the sack over his role.

The coup is the latest episode to depose the elected government in Sabah.

Yesterday’s attempt failed after it was reported “at least” 11 of the 17 Umno state assemblymen would not go along with the coup attempt.

They reportedly rejected cooperating with Warisan and affirmed their support for Hajiji.

Amid the turmoil yesterday, seven Sabah Umno assemblymen, including Bung’s deputy, Yakub Khan, met with Hajiji last night.

It was unclear what the meeting was about.

Hajiji was also reported to be meeting with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Jeffrey Kitingan later today.

Kitingan is also a deputy chief minister in the state cabinet.

STAR has six assemblymen, including Kitingan.

Warisan president Shafie Apdal yesterday called for a 4.30pm press conference.

After waiting for two hours, journalists were then told it was called off. –  January 6, 2023.