Hajiji, Masidi still ‘YB Bebas’
KOTA KINABALU: Several former Sabah Umno leaders have denied joining Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) after pictures of them showing them holding what look like membership forms of the peninsula-based party have gone viral.
Among those in the pictures were former Sabah Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor, Karanaan assemblyman Masidi Manjun and Beaufort member of parliament Azizah Dun.
Hajiji, when contacted by the Borneo Post yesterday, said he is still an independent assemblyman for Sulaman.
“I am still YB Bebas. I have not made any decision,” he said.
Also denying the allegation was Masidi, the former Sabah Umno secretary.
“I am still an independent,” he replied on WhatsApp.
Hajiji and Masidi were among were nine assemblymen and five members of parliament from Sabah Umno who have left the party. Former Semporna Umno division chief Ramlee Marahaban also said they were still independents, adding that they would move as a group if they were to join any party.
Former Libaran division chief Juslie Ajirol said the pictures were taken in Kota Kinabalu but he did not indicate when.
“No one is serious about joining PPBM yet, that was just for play. It was just a short meeting and over coffee. Coincidentally, I was there,” he said.
Klias assemblyman Isnin Aslianih said Hajiji would make an announcement on the matter very soon and he urged the public not to speculate.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday that PPBM would not be spreading its wings to Sabah despite the mass exit of Umno leaders in the state. However, he said the people in Sabah can join the party.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said that there were requests for Bersatu to go to Sabah.