Parti Warisan Sabah deputy president Darell Leiking has confirmed that party president Mohd Shafie Apdal will be sworn in as the new Sabah chief minister tonight.

Leiking said they were informed of the matter by palace officials to get ready for the swearing-in ceremony at 9.30pm.

Warisan vice-president Junz Wong also confirmed the matter when contacted.

Earlier today, Musa Aman, who was sworn in as Sabah chief minister on Thursday, sought an audience with governor Juhar Mahiruddin.

However, Shafie himself neither denied nor confirmed the matter as he was leaving his house, and merely thanked his supporters.

In Wednesday's polls, Warisan and its allies won 29 of the 60 seats in the Sabah legislative assembly – two short of a simple majority. 

However, Musa claimed that he had the numbers after recruiting two lawmakers from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star).

Musa was thereafter sworn in as the Sabah chief minister.

Yesterday, however, Warisan claimed to have 35 assemblypersons on its side, after six BN representatives defected.

They were Abdul Muis Pichu (Sebatik), Hamisa Samat (Tanjong Batu), Osman Jamal (Balung), and Jamawi Jaafar (Kemabong) from Umno, and Ewon Benedick (Kadamaian) and Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan) from United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko).

Shafie had said it was now the Sabah governor's prerogative whether to compel Musa to step down.

'Two chief ministers?'

After chairing his first cabinet meeting today, Musa merely smiled and waved at reporters as he left the Sabah administrative centre.

His new deputy, Star president Jeffrey Kitingan, said that they had only discussed administrative matters. 

Responding to the claim that a new Sabah chief minister would be sworn in tonight, Jeffrey asked how it was possible to “swear in two chief ministers.”

When pointed out that Shafie claims that he now has the majority of seats, Jeffrey stated that the Warisan chief did not have the majority when Musa was sworn in. 

“Now they want to run here and there. We have to stop this if want to see growth and stability of the country. Let the country move on.

“Let’s work together. We don’t mind working together,” he added.

Jeffrey stressed that the mandate of the people should be respected.

“If we allow (going) in an out (of parties), it will destroy the mandate of the people.

“We cannot be playing with the rights of the people.