A RECENT article titled “Who really is Shafie and why does he oppose that MoU?” published by The Vibes launched a scathing attack on Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, questioning his values and credentials.
We strongly reject these accusations and innuendos as a political move to silence the voice of a long-standing Sabahan national leader. In this respect, Warisan stands strongly united behind Shafie.
Our stance with regard to the MoU between Pakatan Harapan and the federal government is clear. Warisan supports all the proposed reforms, which include Undi18, a two-term limit on the prime minister’s tenure, an anti-party-hopping law, and all forms of good government policy to control Covid-19 and revive the economy.
However, we cannot ignore the fact that the signing of the MoU has resulted in a weakened opposition. The role of the opposition is to provide the necessary checks and balances to the policies and conduct of the government.
We believe that instead of a blanket MoU, the opposition can work together with the government on a case-by-case basis. Any proposal from the government can be properly scrutinised, and should it be found beneficial to the rakyat, the opposition can give its fullest support in the spirit of bipartisanship.
We strongly refute the allegation that Shafie nominated himself as the opposition candidate for the prime minister’s post. Prior to the Sheraton Move, when the country was in flux following the resignation of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Lim Guan Eng from DAP and Mohamad Sabu, better known as Mat Sabu, from Amanah proposed to make Shafie the PH candidate for the prime minister’s post. This was because the conflict between Dr Mahathir and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had driven the coalition to the brink of collapse. Shafie rejected the proposal outright.
Similarly, in a recent collective discussion by the opposition following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister, Shafie’s nomination was again mooted by Lim and Mat Sabu. Alongside Anwar, the nomination of these two candidates was to give the opposition the best chance at getting the numbers required to form the government.
Instead, Shafie conceded the nomination by signing a statutory declaration for Anwar, as he believed that by conceding, the opposition would not fracture and would stand a better chance of getting the required numbers.
In both situations, Shafie had a clear chance to pursue his prime minister ambitions, and yet, he chose to concede the nomination to a candidate that he felt was in the best position to lead PH in delivering the rakyat’s mandate in the 14th general election.
Shafie has always maintained his values in his political career, speaking up against any wrongdoing and rejecting any action that would benefit him personally as a politician, but undermine the rakyat.
Firstly, as a result of him championing the exposé on 1Malaysia Development Bhd issues, he was removed from the government and sacked from his senior position in Umno for highlighting this wrongdoing. We all now know that 1MDB was a serious national issue, and if left unchecked, it could have very grave consequences for our beloved country.
Secondly, after the Sheraton Move, he rejected an offer from Perikatan Nasional to be part of the government of the day, because he sincerely believed that by accepting the offer, he would be betraying the rakyat’s mandate in GE14. Most importantly, Shafie has always maintained his position to reject any form of cooperation with kleptocratic politicians despite some quarters in the opposition having the willingness to sanction such a move. This is undoubtedly solid proof that his principles have always been intact.
Warisan under his leadership is steadfast in working for the rakyat, and not just looking for the next big opportunity to form the government. We believe that being a principled and effective opposition is better than being a voiceless component in the government. Notwithstanding all that has been said, Warisan will not negotiate, but demand that the government of the day has empathy for all citizens of the Federation, and does what any decent and good government must do.
On that premise, Warisan is prepared to work with any political bloc, be it the government or opposition, if the ultimate outcome is beneficial to the Federation of Malaysia and her citizens. – The Vibes, September 22, 2021
Datuk Darell Leiking is Warisan deputy president and Penampang MP
