GEORGE TOWN – Voters should move away from former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and his former deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim since both had a hand in the current political stalemate, said once-ally Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Shafie, who leads Warisan, blamed the lack of progress on the two and their ongoing “feud”.
“When in Umno, they bickered and then in Pakatan Harapan (PH), they quarrelled to no end. In trying to grab power, they backstab others along the way,” Shafie told some 600 people at a fundraising dinner in the Penang Chinese Town Hall here last night.
He then recalled that when he was with PH, Dr Mahathir had promised him before the 2018 general election that Bersatu – a party Dr Mahathir founded – would not step into Sabah.
But, Shafie said, Bersatu made its way to Sabah the minute PH won the 2018 general election.
“Anwar was negotiating with us during the Sabah election, yet we were informed that he was also talking to other parties outside of Sabah at the last minute.
“If the likes of Dr Mahathir and Anwar can come into Sabah seeking seats, there is no reason Warisan cannot do the same in the peninsula.”
With much uncertainty heading into the next general election, Shafie said he is open to the prospects of Sabah and Sarawak parties forming a bloc that can help stabilise the federal government.
“Sarawak has 31 (parliamentary seats) and Sabah 25. Together we have more seats than even Umno (Barisan Nasional). Do not underestimate us East Malaysians.”
He said unity in Sabah and Sarawak can redeem the federal government’s past mistakes and aid demands for equal rights and access to oil and natural gas royalty payments.
He added that voters should stop blaming politicians as the power to decide is in their hands.
“Politicians have ruined the past years. Three prime ministers in four years! I would never have imagined it despite being in politics for the last 30 years.”
Shafie also spoke of the need for voters to elect “clean and sincere” leaders rather than give into fear-mongering of race or religion.
“PAS is not in Saudi Arabia, yet Islam is fully protected there. Umno is not in Brunei or Singapore, yet there are Malays who prosper there. Vote for change.
“Malaysia can survive even if Dr Mahathir or Anwar are not around. We move on.”
Shafie said he was resolute that Warisan can perform well with its trademark call of unity.
Later he told a press conference that Warisan will go into the general election alone for now, claiming that fledgling Muda is “being bullied” even though it wants to join PH.
Warisan is mostly based in Sabah with plans to contest in selected states in the next general election in Perlis, Penang, Selangor, and Johor. – The Vibes, September 17, 2022
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