Kuala Lumpur: Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has categorically denied his party’s involvement in the “Langkah Kinabalu” move that attempted to topple the Sabah Government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in early January 2023.
The former Sabah Chief Minister dismissed claims linking Warisan to the political episode, which Kunak Assemblywoman Datuk Norazlina Arif described as a betrayal of public trust.
Speaking to FMT at Parliament, Shafie attributed the Langkah Kinabalu incident to internal disputes between Hajiji and Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, rather than any orchestrated move by his opposition party.
“Langkah Kinabalu was not my move. Ask them what they were fighting about. We (Warisan) are the opposition,” he said.
The controversy resurfaced after Norazlina, who was with Warisan during the attempted takeover, publicly criticised the move as “the greatest betrayal” of Sabahans who expected unity similar to the federal Unity Government.
She said the political manoeuvre was allegedly motivated by promises of four to five Sabah Cabinet positions for Warisan leaders. The takeover attempt ultimately failed due to insufficient support, with six Umno assemblymen backing Hajiji and strengthening his position.
Hajiji, who became Chief Minister in September 2020, retained support from GRS and Pakatan Harapan representatives, including Norazlina at the time.
Following the failed coup attempt, Bung was removed from his Deputy Chief Minister post, replaced by Tanjung Keramat Assemblyman Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
Norazlina subsequently left Warisan on Feb 6, 2023.
