KOTA KINABALU: Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) Deputy President Datuk Wetrom Bahanda is reportedly considering leading an existing registered local party as a new political platform for the upcoming general election (GE).
A reliable source said Wetrom, the current Member of Parliament for Kota Marudu, was initially inclined to rejoin Barisan Nasional (BN), but has recently begun to reconsider.
The source said most of Wetrom’s supporters in Kota Marudu want him to lead a local party, reflecting local sentiment in favour of locally based parties.
Several local political parties could be open to Wetrom leading them, including Parti Damai Sabah.
“Although this is only speculation for now, grassroots supporters are already talking about it. It will be an interesting political puzzle,” the source said.
The source added that if Wetrom contests on a local party ticket, his chances of retaining the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat would be stronger.
However, the source said he would face a tough challenge from the candidate fielded by GRS.
At the 15th General Election (GE15), KDM’s Wetrom won the Kota Marudu (P168) parliamentary seat with a majority of 8,174 votes.
Under Malaysia’s anti-party hopping law (Article 49A of the Federal Constitution), Members of Parliament (MPs) who resign from or switch their political party after being elected must vacate their parliamentary seat, triggering a by-election.
