Balung assemblyman now a Warisan member

KOTA KINABALU: Balung assemblyman Datuk Osman Jamal has joined Parti Warisan Sabah, bringing the number of elected representatives from the Warisan-led government, including its Pakatan Harapan and Upko partners, to 41 out of 60.

Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said they decided to officially accept the Umno-turned-independent assemblyman after almost a year of deliberating on his case.

“We want to make sure that those leaders we accept are sincere in working for the people and not for their own gains,” he said after receiving Osman’s application at his office here yesterday.

Mohd Shafie said from their observation and feedback from the people, Osman was an assemblyman who often went down to the grassroots.

Mohd Shafie, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, said he believed Osman will be able to deliver according to his means as the assemblyman for Balung.

Prior to joining Warisan, Osman was with Umno and had applied to join PKR but claimed he did not get any formal approval from the party.

“I will be meeting with my grassroots leaders to explain to them further why I have finally chosen to go with Warisan, though I already informed them and my supporters of this intention,” said Osman.

He believed that by joining Warisan, he would be able to bring more development to the people of Balung.

Apart from him, four others from PKR have also sent in their forms to join Warisan but Mohd Shafie said he had to consider their cases from all aspects.

On whether Warisan will be accepting any former Umno representatives into the party anytime soon, Mohd Shafie said: “Some have come to meet me and discuss this matter but we will see.”