Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli has quit Umno to join Parti Warisan Sabah.
In a statement on Thursday (Oct 11), Rozman said the decision was to ensure that Labuan continues to develop in various aspects especially in its economy.
“I have started getting used to be in the opposition front following GE14 but after considering the needs of the people and listening to advice from many quarters, I decided that I must not let the people of Labuan be left behind,” he said.
The two-term federal lawmaker cited the need to foster better ties between the Federal Territory and the state government as among reasons for his move.
“Now is the opportunity for Labuan to change some of its administrative system where it is far from the capital and its position within Borneo has little effect. Labuan needs to be more empowered and needs to work with its closest neighbour,” he said in a statement today.
“Labuan’s unique location and economic standing needs me to make this decision. I need to fulfil the people’s aspirations now, especially with the falling of the oil and gas industry which has affected us.
“Labuan is a close-knit community and they need me to ensure that their economic future can rise again. I want to make sure my second term is productive and beneficial to the people,” he said, adding that the new platform will let him bring in more investors by working with new partners.
He said that although he agreed in principle that Labuan was a Federal Territory, it should be given more power and flexibility to carry out its own plans and make decisions to reach its potential.
“At the moment, the decision-making process takes too long and sometimes the voice of the people goes unheard, causing great losses to Labuan which needs large-scale investments. This is why I say Labuan needs structural change.
“The Sabah government also wanted Labuan to prosper so it can provide jobs for Sabahans and business opportunities for the good of the region,” he said.
As for his current political struggle for the people, he wants Labuan to work together with the new leaders in fighting for Sabah’s rights in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“We also wish to have a representative from Labuan to sit in the Dewan Rakyat as practised before,” Rozman said.
He said having a representative in the Dewan Rakyat means more voice for the Labuan people.
“Labuan is actively involved in the oil and gas industry as well as tourism, but there are still so many untapped aspects we can look into, and this is where I hope Labuan and Sabah are able to work together,” he said.
Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking, who was on hand to welcome Rozman to the party, said Warisan had accepted Rozman’s application as the party was keen to work with the MP immediately.
“There are many things that we need to do for Labuan and the people. Of course, the first thing people will be asking is about the proposed Labuan bridge. I think I need to clarify that the issue will be fought for by Rozman as well as Sabah.
“This issue has dragged on for so long, but please give us time,” he said.
Rozman is the sixth federal lawmaker to resign from Umno since the general election, joining others such as Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and fellow Sabahan Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.