Sabah Bersatu to officially launch on April 6

(The Star) – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is set to officially launch in Sabah on April 6.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also Bersatu chairman, is expected to mark the launching of the pro-tem Sabah Bersatu at the historic Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu.

De-facto Sabah Bersatu chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor confirmed the April 6 launch date that was widely spread in social media.

However, the Sulaman assemblyman refused to comment on whether he was set to become the Sabah Bersatu chairman.

“I can only confirm that Bersatu will launch on April 6. As for my position, I cannot say, that is for the leadership to decide,” he said when contacted Sunday (March 10).

Hajiji, who was part of the Sabah Umno’s Dec 12 exodus involving nine  assemblymen, five MPs, two senators and 21 divisions chief, is widely tipped to be the pro-tem head of Sabah Bersatu.

According to WhatsApp messages circulating on social media over the last three days, Dr Mahathir, together with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, would be among those at the launch.

On Feb 15, Dr Mahathir had announced that the party would spread its wings to Sabah in a bid to further strengthen Pakatan Harapan in the state.

Bersatu had stayed out of Sabah during the May 9 general election, leaving it to Parti Warisan Sabah, which was led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, and its partners DAP and PKR to take on then Barisan Nasional state government led by Tan Sri Musa Aman.

Political analysts expect Bersatu’s move into Sabah to complicate the state’s Warisan-led coalition government amid calls by Mohd Shafie and his partners urging Bersatu to stay out of Sabah.

Following the announcement by Dr Mahathir, Mohd Shafie said that they could not stop the entry of Bersatu as it was allowed to do so in accordance with the laws of the country.