Ex-Berjaya leader leads exodus to Warisan

KUDAT: Prominent local businessman and philanthropist James Ibrahim led an exodus of more than 1,000 people from various political parties, mostly Barisan Nasional components, to Parti Warisan Sabah at a gathering here on Saturday night.

One of them was former Kudat DAP chief Alexander Anthony, who also stood as an independent candidate in Pitas during the last general elections.

Another was Tanjung Kapur assemblyman Teo Chee Kang’s former press secretary, Jeffrey Ojinggal.

James, 66, was a former Berjaya youth chief and had left politics after he quit Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) 10 years ago.

After several meetings with Warisan leaders and feedback from the ground, James decided to join the multi-racial party believing in its concept of change for a better Sabah for the sake of all Sabahans.

Present at the gathering were Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking, vice president Junz Wong and Wira chief Azis Jamman.

James claimed that the villagers at Kampung Parapat Laut, Kampung Malaman, Kampung Milau and Kampung Suangpai were facing water problems.

He welcomed Warisan’s proposal to build a deep water port in Kudat and a railway system that would connect the northern district to the state capital of Kota Kinabalu.

“This is exactly what Kudat needs to awaken it from a slumber. It will definitely save us from remaining one of the poorest districts in Sabah,” he said in a statement yesterday.