If anything, the sources say it is more likely that the former foreign minister will be joining a national party, possibly PPBM or a local party aligned to the Pakatan Harapan government.
Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), led by former Klias assemblyman Lajim Ukin, could be one of the parties as it is set to announce its allegiance to PH later today.
Alternatively, Anifah could take over the Parti Anak Negeri Sabah (PANS), which he was rumoured to have helped form.
However, a source said it was unlikely Anifah, who could be joined by his brother and former chief minister Musa Aman, would take such a huge risk.
“Despite PPBM chairman and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad saying that the party will not expand its wings to Sabah, there is still this possibility if a sponsor is found. Anifah may want to take up that opportunity.
“This is because of the rivalry within PH itself between the Mahathir and PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim camps. Both of these leaders are vying for the support of MPs, including those in the opposition.
“In Sabah, support for Anwar is a lot stronger compared to the support for Mahathir’s protégé, Azmin Ali. If Azmin loses the PKR election, he might jump to PPBM,” said the source.
Regarding the understanding between Mahathir and Warisan president and Chief Minister Shafie Apdal, the source said it had been proven that Mahathir has been shrewd in dealing with Shafie.
This can be proven by Mahathir’s way of brushing aside any demand made by the state government, including the 20% oil royalty based on gross production and Mahathir’s failure to even mention the return of the 40% net revenue collected by the federal government back to the state, as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.
“Many people forget that Mahathir is the most federal-centric prime minister. Devolution of power to Sabah and Sarawak will not be his priority.
“His 22-year record as the prime minister speaks volumes of his character,” said a Sabah Umno source.
He also revealed that Sabah Umno is going for political autonomy as it attempts to distance itself from Umno in the peninsula.
The reason, he said, is because Sabahans are uncomfortable with the new direction taken by Umno, which emphasises too much on race and religion.
Characters such as Lokman Noor Adam are seen as polarising individuals and branded as spoilers to the party’s attempt for reform.
For Sabah Umno to obtain political autonomy, it would require Umno amending the party’s constitution.
As for Anifah quitting the party on the grounds that it had failed to fulfil the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), a source within the government said the Kimanis MP had been proven to be using the issue only for his own political and personal gain.
“What did he mean he quit because Umno didn’t fulfil the requirements of MA63? Does he expect Umno to fulfil it now when it is in the opposition? He is just making up excuses.
“If Umno had won, he would have still used the issue to shore up his position and then drag it around to keep himself in power.
“It is more likely he will join PPBM now and protect his interests. Political ambition now has to take a backseat.
“It is about survival now for him and other Umno leaders. That is why they are jumping and more will do the same,” he said. - FMT source
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