WARISAN has shot down talks of teaming up with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), saying the coalition is too tainted by corruption.
“We won’t work with corrupt leaders. Integrity comes first,” said Warisan Information Chief Datuk Azis Jamman, responding to reports that the party might collaborate with GRS.
Azis clarified that Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal was open to cooperating with local parties like PBS and STAR — but never GRS or its leading party, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS).
“We’ve been clear. We won’t compromise on integrity, especially when key GRS figures are still under graft investigations,” he added.
Azis recalled how Shafie once backed Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s move to form PGRS, but the trust crumbled when Hajiji allegedly delayed Sabah’s anti-party hopping law and poached Warisan assemblymen.
“Hajiji lured our reps to defect. How can we trust someone who’s betrayed us before?” he said.
Azis said GRS has lost its focus on Sabah’s rights by clinging to national coalitions like Pakatan Harapan.
“Sabah’s fight is for autonomy and integrity, but GRS leaders are too tied to Putrajaya to deliver that,” he said.
Warisan Vice President Terrence Siambun was more direct, blasting GRS for sheltering leaders linked to scandals.
“Why should Warisan help corrupt politicians stay in power? It’s a dangerous alliance,” he said, referencing the ongoing MACC probes into several GRS assemblymen.
Siambun took a swipe at PGRS, saying the party had hijacked GRS from STAR’s Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
“Jeffrey should be GRS chairman. He’s long championed a United Borneo Front, but PGRS is dragging the coalition down,” he said.
Siambun suggested PBS and STAR reconsider their positions in GRS.
“They should kick out PGRS or leave GRS and form a real United Borneo Front,” he added.
Warisan remains firm — it won’t compromise integrity for political gains.
“We’ll never stand with those who abuse power,” said Azis. “The people of Sabah deserve better.” - January 8, 2025
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