Sabah CM claims Anifah tried three times to get Mohamaddin to cross over

• UPDATED 8.40PM | Added comments from Mohamaddin.

Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal has claimed that former minister Anifah Aman had tried three times to coax former tourism and culture minister Mohamaddin Ketapi to switch sides.

However, he said the Lahad Datu MP had decided to remain with Warisan.

"Mohamaddin informed me that he was contacted three times by Anifah, who promised many things if he would cross over.

"I asked (Mohamaddin), are you sure? He said 'I know his voice, I know his phone number'," said Shafie (above) at a press conference in Kota Kinabalu today.

When contacted, Mohamaddin confirmed that Anifah had tried to persuade him to defect, but downplayed it as a “normal” affair.

“Crossing over party lines should not happen but asking someone to defect is normal. That’s especially when Anifah and I had known each other since going to school together in England,” he told Malaysiakini via text messages.

Mohamaddin (photo) said apart from Anifah, other friends have contacted him as well to persuade him to defect, but he said he politely declined.

“I am maintaining my stance and remain with Warisan,” he said.

Malaysiakini has also contacted Anifah for further comment.

Anifah left Umno in 2018 but remained aligned to them and helped them campaign to win the Kimanis seat following his disqualification from the seat last year.

Previously Shafie, who is also Sabah chief minister, had accused Sabah Umno of trying to buy Warisan assemblypersons in an effort to topple the state government.

Sabah Umno has denied this allegation.

Shafie has asked that the MACC investigate any efforts to buy out Warisan representatives using positions or money.

Additional reporting by B NANTHA KUMAR.

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