KOTA KINABALU – Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili has invited Warisan to join Perikatan Nasional as either a member or partner.
He said PBS would be happy to become Warisan’s host or sponsor to join the coalition.
“Come work with us under PN,” he said after meeting Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.
Also present were PBS deputy presidents Datuk Seri Radin Malleh, Datuk Jahid Jahim and Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, vice-president Datuk Joachim Gunsalam and secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Ongkili said calls for both PBS and Warisan to form an alliance together would be difficult, saying both parties have differences in identity and ideologies.
But with PN, he said PBS can cooperate with Warisan and strengthen the coalition’s objective in accordance with national goals.
Meantime, Ongkili reiterated PBS’ support for Hajiji, who is the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah leader and Sabah Bersatu chief.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) explained that his recent talk of a Warisan-PBS cooperation had been misread and created confusion.
Many saw it as a power shift and the collapse of the GRS government.
“My actual intention was to express the party’s openness to the opposition, especially Warisan, to cooperate with the state and federal governments to achieve our common development goals for the good of Sabah and Sabahans.
“I did not say more than to express the openness for cooperation.
After all, it was Warisan who extended the hand of friendship and cooperation in the first place, and their president (Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal) did it during Ramadan, a season for cordial friendships so it is only proper for us to express a similar gesture for the sake of friendship,” he said.
The Kota Marudu MP noted that it is only through cooperation, political friendship and support, that the state can be fully developed.
“It does not necessarily mean that we have to form a coalition, or alliance.
“PBS’ intention was to extend friendship and cooperation with Warisan at the PN level.” – The Vibes, May 20, 2021
