Datuk Abdul Muis Picho and Datuk Hamisah Samat are seen leaving Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal’s residence in Kota Kinabalu May 11, 2018. ― Picture by Julia Chan

KOTA KINABALU, May 11 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is in danger of losing Sabah today.

Just hours after state BN leader Tan Sri Musa Aman was sworn in as chief minister sparking protests on the streets, sources from the state’s single largest Opposition party, Parti Warisan Sabah claimed to have five BN assemblymen who have switched sides.

A party source said that Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal is at the state palace with the three Upko and two Umno defecting assemblymen to seek an audience with the head of state.

“He has the five BN assemblymen confirming they are jumping ship,” said the insider on condition of anonymity.

The expected defectors are Tanjung Batu’s Datuk Hamisah Samat and Sebatik’s Datuk Abdul Muis Picho along with Kadamaian’s Ewon Benedick, Paginatan’s Datuk Abidin Madingkir and Nabawan’s Datuk Bobby AhFang Suan, who are from Upko.

Balung’s Datuk Osman Jamal from Umno is also expected to defect.

Warisan and Pakatan Harapan state assemblymen have gathered at Shafie’s house to await the announcement.

Police roadblocks have been set up at the entrance to Jalan Istana, preventing vehicles from entering the state palace.

Yesterday, Sabah BN component Upko said they were joining Warisan. Another party, Liberal Democratic Party followed suit today

Warisan currently has 29 state seats, while BN and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) together have 31.