PUTRAJAYA, Mar 15 — Former Sabah Umno members who join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) will continue to support the state government led by Parti Warisan Sabah, the party chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
He said although Warisan — led by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal — is not a part of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, its members are nonetheless given positions within the federal government.
“As such we will also support the Warisan government. This is the stance of all four PH members,” Dr Mahathir said here, referring to PKR, DAP, PPBM and Parti Amanah Negara.
He had earlier handed over membership cards to the eight new members who were formerly from sabah Umno at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here.
Dr Mahathir insisted that PPBM entry into Sabah is not a threat to the state government.
“We do not intend to replace them. Just as how Warisan supports us, we will support them,” he said.
When asked if Sipitang MP Yamani Hafez Musa would join PPBM, Dr Mahathir said ‘not yet’.
“We will look into it,” he said.
Yamani is the son of former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
Dr Mahathir also said incumbent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee will remain in his position despite having left BN in December last year, even though the position is usually held by a member of the Opposition.
“It is not actually a policy (for an Opposition member to be PAC chairman) but more of practice,” he said.
When told that BN has nominated Parit Sulong MP Noraini Ahmad as the next PAC chairman, Dr Mahathir merely said they will need a majority to agree upon that.
The eight new PPBM members include four MPs, two assemblymen, and two senators.
