Hafidz Baharom, The Malaysian Insider

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to be in Beaufort tomorrow, offering a clear signal to date of shifting allegiances in the ruling Barisan National (BN) coalition’s eastern stronghold.

However, aides to the PKR de facto leader were mum over whether Anwar would attend the launch of the Sabah Reform Front (SRF), a new political movement set up by Sabah’s Kadazandusun community.

Earlier today, Anwar had tweeted that he “would be breaking fast in Tuaran and Beaufort tomorrow”.

His chief of staff, Ibrahim Yaacob, confirmed only the trip to Beaufort but could not say what activities Anwar would be attending.

“He has just arrived from Medina this morning and will be Beaufort tomorrow, but what programmes he will be attending we don’t know,” he said.

Speculation is rife that the SRF will ally with the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact ahead of key national polls due within the next nine months.

Yesterday, Sabah PKR chief Ahmad Tamrin Jaini was reported as having received an invite for Anwar to launch the SRF.

Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin and Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing were said to be the organisers of the event.

Lajim quit his post as Kerambai Kebatu Umno branch chief last month but maintained that he was not leaving the party to join the opposition, while Bumburing, who is also deputy president of the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO), quit his BN division chief post last week and has been coy of his chances of crossing over to PKR.