Peter Anthony quits Warisan, to form new party aligned to GRS-led Sabah govt
Former Sabah minister Peter Anthony today announced that he is quitting Warisan to form a new political party, according to Bernama.
In a brief news flash, he also reportedly said that the new party will be cooperating with the GRS-led Sabah state government.
Anthony (above) reportedly said he made the decision to quit Warisan after finding that the party had gone far astray in its struggle for the...
Former Sabah minister Peter Anthony today announced that he is quitting Warisan to form a new political party, according to Bernama.
In a brief news flash, he also reportedly said that the new party will be cooperating with the GRS-led Sabah state government.
Anthony (above) reportedly said he made the decision to quit Warisan after finding that the party had gone far astray in its struggle for the rights and wellbeing of the people of Sabah when it spread its wings to the peninsula.
"It’s high time for us, leaders in Sabah, to set our political differences aside to develop our beloved state.
"The people of Sabah need a party that really fights for the rights of Sabahans. That’s the most important for us. There’s no use of having such a party outside Sabah,” he told a press conference this afternoon, as quoted by Bernama.
He said the GPS coalition in Sarawak, which recorded a landslide victory in the recent Sarawak state election, should be followed as an example where a state is led by its own people.
Anthony also dismissed rumours that his move had anything to do with his court case. Instead, he told reporters, the decision was taken to fulfil what the grassroots in Sabah wanted.
"They want a local party as a platform that really fights for Sabahans... this new party will be announced soon, and if anyone is interested, we welcome them to be with us," he said.
The announcement came two weeks after Anthony, who is Melalap state assemblyperson, was ordered by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to enter his defence to charges of using false documents relating to a system maintenance contract seven years ago.
According to another report by Utusan Malaysia, Anthony, who was a vice-president in Warisan, was also joined by Limbahau state assemblyperson Juil Nuatim in leaving the party.
Both of them are the latest to quit and announce support for the GRS-led state administration.
In October, Lahad Datu MP and Segama assemblyperson Mohamaddin Ketapi had made a similar announcement, where he quit Warisan to become an independent assemblyperson in support of GRS.
Prior to that, Sindumin assemblyperson Yusof Yacob also officially announced his departure from the party to become an independent lawmaker in support of Sabah's ruling coalition.
Another Warisan lawmaker Labuan MP Rozman Isli had claimed that he was hit with a corruption charge due to his refusal to ditch the party and back the government.
Rozman alleged that the graft charge had been planned for a long time and was politically motivated.
The former Umno lawmaker claimed that previously he was called to court to be charged twice, but the charges did not proceed.
