Shafie’s PC postponed amid rumours of coup in Sabah

January 6, 2023

Shafie’s PC postponed amid rumours of coup in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A press conference by Warisan president Shafie Apdal scheduled for earlier today, amid speculation about attempts to topple the Sabah state government, has been called off.

The press conference was set to take place at 4.30pm. However, no reason for the postponement was given to the media, who had been waiting for more than two hours. The organisers did not give a new date either.

Although many Warisan members were present, Shafie was not seen at the venue.

A source told FMT that Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Bung Moktar Radin had also been expected to attend the press conference.

Bung was said to have earlier held a meeting with Umno leaders here. However, the purpose of the meeting was unclear.

Rumours that the Sabah state government, led by chief minister Hajiji Noor, would soon collapse have been circulating on social media.

However, leaders of the ruling coalition, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), have dismissed the rumours, saying these were aimed at destabilising the political situation in the state.

The Hajiji-led state administration comprises GRS and BN. It is backed by 53 assemblymen in the Sabah legislative assembly, including seven who were appointed.

Warisan, with 19 seats, is the only party in the opposition after Sabah Pakatan Harapan pledged its support for Hajiji’s administration following the formation of the unity government at the federal level.

Sabah PH has seven seats in the state assembly.