PUTATAN – Warisan has lost many lawmakers, but it is not a small party, said Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in dismissing talks his party has weakened due to defections.
The number of Warisan lawmakers has been reduced from 23 to 14 due to defections, and only has three MPs after the general election late last year. However, the Warisan president said it still has the most support from the Sabah voters.
“We won 23 seats in the snap state election. By right, I should be made chief minister. I called the governor and asked him to give me the opportunity, as Warisan is the party that won the greatest number of state seats.
“Even in the federal election (late last year), we decided to go solo. We only won three seats.
“But the number of votes we received was 259,518. Barisan Nasional came behind us with 204,717 votes.
“Warisan got the most votes. I have checked the records with the Election Commission. This means that Warisan is no small party. It is only the YBs who jumped ship, not the people,” said the Semporna MP during the Putatan party divisional meeting here last night.
Shafie said he is also content with Warisan being the opposition in Sabah and part of the unity government, adding that he was not keen to work and support the ruling state parties, which he revealed enticed Warisan lawmakers.
“I have already expressed my views to the political leaders at the federal level. You want us to support the government that has stolen my assemblymen? The ones who came into my house to steal?
“Even right now, they are still trying to do it. Is this the unity government I was referred to for work and support?
“How can we be united when they are still trying to entice my men? I am not dumb. I am not stupid as president of this party,” he said.
He also said Warisan is now on the lookout for potential electoral partners, saying the state will likely call for an election latest early next year in view of the forthcoming elections expected to be held in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
Shafie said Warisan had gone solo in the general election last year but pointed out this was not without any effort to work together with Sabah Star and Parti Bersatu Sabah.
He said both parties had turned down Warisan’s offer as they alleged the party was led by an illegal immigrant, to which Shafie rubbished the accusation, saying he is indeed a real Sabahan.
Insisting the work on strengthening the party remains the top priority, he said Warisan has a few parties in mind it wants to work with, adding that Umno as being one of them.
“We will choose our partner. We don’t want to choose a partner that will steal our children.
“How can we form an alliance (with them)? It is not an easy task.
“So, we don’t mind being the opposition. Be the check and balance in Sabah and right what is wrong in the state,” he added. – The Vibes, March 20, 2023
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