KOTA KINABALU: Rumours are rife here in the state capital over speculation that former Sabah Umno leaders may join Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
The NSTP was made to understand that a meeting among the former Umno leaders had taken place on the matter, here, yesterday.
The meeting a hotel in the state capital among the former Umno leaders also saw the presence of former Sabah Umno Liaison Chairman, Datuk Hajiji Noor.
It is learnt that the meeting discussed various issues including their expected participation in PPBM, which is expected to be realised before the end of the year.
Several pictures of PPBM membership forms being distributed among former state Umno leaders, have since been found spread over social media platforms, including Whatsapp.
However, Karanaan State Assemblyman, Datuk Masidi Manjun when contacted by NSTP, said the gathering was nothing more it was just a regular meeting.
"We have not joined PPBM and we are still independent state assemblymen," he said.
On an image which has since gone viral, showing Hajiji with Klias assemblyman Datuk Isnin Aliasnih holding a PPBM form, Masidi said it was just merely a picture.
On December 12, Hajiji with 13 elected representatives and 21 division chiefs quit Umno as well as two Dewan Negara Senators had declared themselves as independent elected representatives.
The nine Sabah state assemblymen who quit Umno are: Datuk Musbah Jamli (Tempasuk)l; Datuk Japlin Akin (Usukan); Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar (Kawang); Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (Membakut); Monday (Klias); Matbali Musah (Lumadan); Masidi (Karanaan) and Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (Apas).
Four members of Parliament also quit the party, namely: Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri (Kudat) Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort); Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (Beluran) and Datuk Zakaria Mohd Edris (Libaran), while the two Senators were Datuk John Ambrose from the Penampang Umno Division and Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohd Yassin the Pensiangan Umno Division chief.
The ex-Sabah Umno leaders also expressed support for the federal government and the state government led by the Parti Warisan Sabah (Warusan).
PPBM President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was previously reported as saying that there was a demand for the party to spread its wings to Sabah.
However, Warisan deputy president, Datuk Darell Leiking, said the party was confident that the Prime Minister, who is also PPBM chairman, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin remained in line with their promise not to bring the party into Sabah as was agreed before the 14th General Elections (GE14).
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir said PPBM would not spread its wings to Sabah and Sabahans could choose their own party.