Politics, it is said, is the art of the impossible. Just a year ago, it would have been difficult to foretell what the stars had in store for Mohd Shafie Apdal.

From treading the corridors of power both in Umno and Putrajaya, the Sabah politician found himself being paraded before the public in an orange lock-up outfit.

This was when the MACC investigated him over graft allegations. He was never charged and the outcome of the last general election proved that the allegations did not dent his popularity either.

Shafie went on to lead the Parti Warisan Sabah-Pakatan Harapan alliance against Sabah BN-Umno up until the May 9 polls.

After polling ended, it was clear that Shafie had dealt a bloody nose to Umno. But he was still two seats shy of forming the state government.

Two lawmakers from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Rakyat Sabah (Star) became the kingmakers, choosing to help Sabah BN form the state government on May 11.

This new government did not last for 24 hours.

Six Sabah BN lawmakers defected, giving Shafie control over 35 seats in the state legislative assembly.

Although firmly in power, Shafie received another boost when more Sabah BN lawmakers drifted towards him.

At the time of writing, Shafie and his allies control 42 seats in the legislative assembly, effectively granting him a two-thirds majority.

The Shafie-administration would have its first opportunity to flex its legislative muscle tomorrow when the special legislative assembly sitting is convened.

On the agenda is a bill to amend the state constitution to remove the two-term limit for the governor.

With the exodus of Sabah Umno lawmakers, state leaders and division leaders today, all eyes are on whether Shafie would have their support as well.

While those who quit have pledged their allegiance to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Shafie, it remains to be seen if the nine former state Umno lawmakers would vote in favour of the bill.

If they do so, Shafie would have 80 percent support in the legislative assembly - effectively a super majority.