Compensation demands from defectors: Perhaps Warisan is out of funds?
ASYIKIN AMIN
KOTA KINABALU - The action taken by the Warisan demanding compensation from the 11 State Assemblyman who left the party has been labelled as baseless and unreasonable, according to state Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.
He said he was unaware of the reasons behind Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal's actions.
"I have not received any demand letter, and I do not know why President or Warisan made this move.
“Perhaps the basis for this demand has not been discussed, or maybe Warisan is out of funds. So, the basis is that it has never been done before; election expenses are supposed to be the responsibility of the party for those selected.
“The party should finance it and even if they do, it's not as much. There is no record in the funding, as allowed and reported by the Election Commission for the assemblyman is only RM100,000, and RM200,000 for Parliament," he said when approached by reporters yesterday when asked about Warisan's latest claim against 11 assemblymen.
Yusof further said that the party's action is just an attempt to intimidate their remaining state assemblymen.
"Because now there is an incident where four members of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) have switched their support to our Prime Minister, and they have not left the party but are providing support for the good of the country and political stability.
“It may make the remaining Warisan assemblymen feel anxious and change their minds,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tanjung Kapor assemblyman Chong Chen Bin considered the action unreasonable, giving an analogy that if ordinary people turn away and do not support them, would they face similar actions.
"If someone whom Datuk Shafie helped by providing financial aid in the past, if one day they no longer support him, will he ask for that aid back? We have also contributed to the party; we have also used our own money, even for flags when there was not enough money.
“We would never ask for it back," he said, adding that they were ready to face any action from Warisan and will counter it.
Chong said they just want to create an issue but emphasised that he still respected the Warisan President.
“Without him, I wouldn't be here today. But if he takes legal action against me, I will fight back. We accept it; he uses a lawyer; we have one too. We are ready to wait," he added.
In a report by Sinar Harian last Wednesday, Shafie stated that the party has the right to receive compensation for the expenses incurred in the elections won by the 11 assemblymen.
