KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is firm in his conviction that Warisan’s expansion into Peninsular Malaysia is a step in the right direction towards providing worthy choices for voters.
In an interview session with veteran journalist Tan Sri Johan Jaafar earlier today, the Warisan president said that the presence of the Sabah-based opposition party will bring a much-needed change to the political landscape of Malaysia.
Revealing that discussions with leaders from the opposition bloc are already under way, Shafie said that he hopes to announce their debut in the peninsula sometime this year.
“Warisan will be the party to show the people that there is a different choice outside of the familiar faces we are already used to seeing in Umno, Bersatu, PH, PKR, and DAP.
“We will fight for the nation as a whole, even if our roots are in Sabah,” Shafie said, adding that he intends to showcase good leadership and people-focused principles as the foundations of the party.
Shafie asserted that Warisan will focus on the needs of the people without involving racial and religious rhetoric.
“The use of the race and religion card can be very divisive. As a leader, we must address more basic issues such as employment, healthcare, and living standards.
“A person’s religion is between them and their God,” he said.
When asked whether Warisan will be forming alliances with other opposition parties, Shafie said that the party is open to possible cooperation with other parties in the future but emphasised that there will be no coercion from Warisan.
“Any alliances that we form will be based on an agreement detailed by both sides and analysed to make sure that the coalition is based on proper leadership values.
“As long as we have good leadership, we will be on the right path,” he said.
He called on politicians to remember that their duty is to the citizens and to emulate virtues which will uphold them as true leaders.
“Leaders must set an example for the people. If our leaders do not have political values that show their commitment to the people, then the citizens will have their suspicions about the financial and political management of our country.”
Shafie also commented on Muda and Undi18, noting that Warisan is willing to facilitate matters for the youth-led party.
“The voice of our younger generation will be the catalyst for reform and change,” he said, adding that his observation of youth is that they support parties willing to fight for issues which concern them.
On Budget 2022 that was tabled last Friday by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Shafie voiced his concern about the country, which is still very much in debt despite the government’s biggest national budget.
“Malaysia has a RM1.2 trillion debt to repay. The long-term implications of this debt may not affect us now, but our future generations will bear the consequences,” he said. – The Vibes, November 3, 2021
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