Warisan man in Paginatan played out by Shafie switches camp

Yapan Situn with brothers Markos and Jack

RANAU - A would-be Warisan candidate for the Paginatan State seat has decided to lend his support for Barisan Nasional, instead.

Yapan Sitan joined Barisan Nasional (BN), here, Monday, claiming he was "played out" by Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the last moment.

Yapan, who was considered a Warisan strongman, here, handed over his membership form to Ranau Umno Division Chief Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, during his visit to the Rapak Voting District Centre (PDM).

Yapan said the decision made by Shafie to field a newcomer to contest the seat was like backstabing himself.

"Me and my elder brother, Markus Situn, who was also the Warisan Parliamentary and Paginatan DUN Co-ordinator cum Warisan High Council Member (AMT), were among those instrumental in Warisan's presence in Ranau.

"We were there from the first day, ensuring that every plan went accordingly using our own resources.

It was clear from the start that my brother was going to be the candidate for Warisan in Paginatan.

"However, when Parliament was dissolved, a group within the Ranau Warisan emerged to lobby for their own candidate to be selected and the party decided to field their own candidate.

Yapan said following the decision, certain quarters within Warisan Ranau, including family members who had high hopes for Markus to be fielded, felt betrayed and heart wrenched.

He also said the fact that Shafie allowed the Karanaan State seat to be contested by a peninsular-based party i.e. Democratic Action Party (DAP), indicates sidelining the KadazanDusunMurut (KDM) community.

Masidi who is the BN candidate for Karanaan, welcomed Yapan to fight together with the BN in this GE14. - Clarence GD