TUARAN - Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has denied claims from Warisan that the assemblymen supporting him were 'bought' or given bribes.
The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) president said the move former Warisan assemblymen to support him was their own decision.
"I don’t know (if there are many assemblymen who would join Gagasan Rakyat), it is up to them, if they accept my leadership and support me, I will simply extend my gratitude.
"It was on their own volition, we completely deny the claims of some parties especially the Warisan president stating they were bought or bribed. That is simply not true.
"Ask any representatives that have crossed over and support the current government. They are supporting because they feel they need to support the present state government for the interest of Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji was speaking to reporters after officiating the Duang Festival at the Rumpun Bajausama Cultural House in Kampung Lok Batik, here, today.
When asked if anti-hopping act will be tabled, he said the matter will be brought to the assembly.
He also welcomed the support of Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) towards the state government.
"Its good that they (KDM) are supporting, it will strengthen us (the government),” he said.
On Tuesday, five Umno assemblymen left the party with three former Warisan assemblymen announcing their support to join Gagasan Rakyat to support Hajiji’s leadership.
The assemblymen were Datuk Dr Yusuf Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut), Datuk Hamild @ Hamid Awang (Balung) and Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk) while the three former Warisan assemblymen were Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi), Chong Chen Bin (Tanjong Kapor) and Norazlina Arif (Kunak).