KOTA KINABALU – Opposition parties in the country must be brave enough to change their leadership to move forward, especially in facing the coming general election, said Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He said through new leadership, the opposition will be able to offer a different direction to the people, adding that he believes the opposition has many young leaders who could achieve that goal.
“They (old leaders) must be brave to make changes, not to say they are unworthy, but many capable young people are offering themselves to be opposition leaders.
“I’m not saying that certain individuals need to be replaced, but we have to prepare for the next election… the people are facing a lot of problems, like unemployment, Covid-19, the economy… what can we offer in the coming general election if our modus operandi is still the same?” he said at a press conference here today.
Shafie said in looking at the need to change leadership, what transpired after the 14th general election should be reviewed because although the opposition won, it eventually lost power due to internal unrest, especially among party leaders.
“We tried to unite the people and leadership, but it didn’t work because there was no clear direction with the existing leadership… (We need to) not only unite the leadership, but also unite Malaysians. Unity is very important to us.”
Meanwhile, Shafie said the party’s general assembly unanimously approved a motion for Sabah-based Warisan to spread its wings to Peninsular Malaysia.
“If Umno can set foot (in Sabah), DAP, PKR and Amanah too, then why can’t Warisan be established in Peninsular Malaysia? It’s not easy, but we must have a direction,” he said.
He said the move was not contrary to the party’s constitution, adding that Warisan need not have to change its name to set foot in the peninsula. – Bernama, December 12, 2020
