KOTA KINABALU – Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has dismissed talk of working with opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the coming Johor polls, saying the party is focused on strengthening itself.
Shafie, who is Semporna MP, said he has worked with all the national leaders, be they in Barisan Nasional or PH.
“I have already worked with all of them. But when I did, while in Umno, the country’s situation turned bad. I had also worked with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and DAP’s Lim Guan Eng and Lim Kit Siang.
“But now what is important is to strengthen my own house and, at the same time, provide Malaysians with a new political choice,” he said when met during his Chinese New Year walkabout in Inanam town today.
As for the Johor polls, Shafie said he will announce the party’s decision on whether to contest when he visits the state next month.
“I have instructed our machinery in Johor to assess the situation before a decision is made on the matter.
“There are already too many state elections. We already had Melaka and Johor, and we would not know which state will hold theirs next and at the same time the general election is also to be held soon.
“At the same time, Warisan members also feel that we should not stand and watch from the sidelines when these states hold their polls because if the federal election is called, Warisan needs assemblymen’s help.”
He added that Warisan will also discuss Johor polls with Muda as a sign of respect for its president, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who hails from Johor.
Johor has dissolved its assembly and awaits the announcement by the Election Commission on nomination and polling dates. – The Vibes, January 26, 2022
