KOTA KINABALU – Warisan will be running for Bukit Baru in Johor, as president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal builds up anticipation for the Sabah-based party’s entry into politics on the peninsula.
Shafie also confirmed that former Tg Piai Umno deputy chief Suhaimi Salleh will not be fielded, but will only serve as Johor chief coordinator.
“Suhaimi will not be contesting, as he is the state chief coordinator,” he said to reporters at a Chinese New Year event in Bukit Batu last night.
He added that Warisan is eyeing Bukit Batu as he noticed the party’s potential to win the seat.
Since 2013, Bukit Batu has been held by PKR’s state deputy chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, but the incumbent has been dropped to make way for Tebrau PKR secretary Chiong Sen Sern.
Shafie said Warisan does not wish to form the state government, but wants to be a strong opposition in the southern state.
“We don’t want to take power, but we are preparing for the general election and are choosing Johor as our starting point,” said Shafie, reiterating that Warisan is an alternative to the main political alliances in the country.
He said Warisan will field mostly new and young faces in the Johor polls this March 12.
Shafie added that most of them are NGO members and professionals, and that none of them will be incumbents.
“We will announce the candidates and seats in a day or two. All of the candidates will be new. There will be no incumbents.”
At the event, Warisan received more than 1,000 membership forms, including former members of Umno, PKR, Bersatu, and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia. – The Vibes, February 24, 2022
