History of Sabah’s past defections

The current political imbroglio playing out in Sabah, which is now heading toward snap polls after the dissolution of the state assembly, has dominated headlines over the past few days.

Yet, party-hopping and attempts to change state governments is not a new phenomenon in the East Malaysian state's politics. Similar events even took place as recently as the previous general election in 2018.

In fact, the former chief minister Musa Aman being unceremoniously denied entry at the palace gate - as he attempted to meet with Governor Juhar Mahiruddin to appeal against the dissolution - also hearken back to the experience by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) founder Joseph Pairin Kitingan following in 1985 and 1994 state polls...