KOTA KINABALU – Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not dismissing the possibility of working with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) after the election.
The two-time prime minister said this following a meeting with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor during his visit to the state earlier today. During his visit, he also launched the state chapter of Pejuang.
“Our discussions today were more on Sabah’s development. We didn’t discuss much politics,” he told a press conference later.
On possible future talks between him and state leaders, Dr Mahathir said, “Well, we will see after the election.”
Also present were Sabah Pejuang chairman Nicholas Sylvester Muhammad Abdullah.
This is Dr Mahathir’s first visit to Sabah in three years with his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, who arrived in Kota Kinabalu in a private jet.
Hajiji was made Sabah Bersatu chief when Dr Mahathir was the party chairman. Hajiji had left Umno in December 2018, along with several Umno assemblymen and MPs, before joining Bersatu.
Bersatu subsequently set foot in Sabah despite resistance from Warisan, which held the Sabah government at the time.
On another note, Dr Mahathir also said the door is open for GPS to work with GTA if they do not want “those” leaders.
It is believed he was referring to leaders from Barisan Nasional.
Dr Mahathir also took a swipe at former ally Warisan, which is going solo in GE15.
He said the party is not known in the peninsula and is identified as a Sabah-based political party.
“Now even in Sabah, it has slowed down since the last general election. Many of their wakil rakyat have left Warisan… what can Warisan do? Nothing,” he said.
Led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Warisan was previously friendly to Pakatan Harapan but left the coalition after the Sheraton Move.
On Pejuang’s manifesto, Dr Mahathir said GTA will not make empty promises, and vowed to end corruption and put away criminals trying to escape the law by winning the election.
He also said he believed BN, Perikatan Nasional, and PH will not be able to deliver on their pledges when it comes to restoring state rights for Sabah and Sarawak.
“We also have many plans. We don’t want to make promises. But we will do it. Those who make promises are only trying to fish for votes.
“We are the only clean party at this moment. All the others have problems… we are a clean party with no court cases.
“We are prepared to turn Malaysia around to once again become an Asian tiger. But we won’t spell out what is in store.
“We also have ideas on how to clean the country from corruption,” he said. – The Vibes, November 6, 2022
