KUALA LUMPUR – Warisan will be holding a two-day Kaamatan-themed event this weekend, which will include a forum with the party’s top leadership and an open house.
Its organising chairperson Mohd Zinin Andong said the talk will be held at Dewan Kadamaian in Taginambur near Kota Belud on Saturday, June 4, followed by the open house there on Sunday, June 5.
He said the party was expecting to receive up to 2,000 visitors at the open house.
Mohd Zinin also said the open talk will see the participation of Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, and Rungus ethnic groups from 18 Sabah zones.
He said they will be able to speak with the likes of Datuk Darell Leiking, Youth chief Datuk Azis Jamman, and Kota Belud-Warisan MP, Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis.
“And there will be a launching of the party’s ‘Jelajah Propaganda Kawasan KDM’ (Kadazan, Dusun, Murut area propaganda tour) by the deputy president, Darell Leiking,” he told a press conference.
Mohd Zinin said the open house is a sign of Warisan’s gratitude towards the state it was being held as instructed by party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“This was not what we (the KDM leaders in Warisan) had requested, but the party president (Shafie) wanted to do it,” he explained.
“I think it would be able to uplift the spirit of our communities.”
However, Mohd Zinin maintained that the open house was not Warisan using the racial card to gain votes.
Instead, he said it is based on the “president’s generosity” as Warisan is a “multiracial party.”
Meanwhile, Sabah-based political analyst, Lee Kuok Tiung said Kaamatan open houses were commonplace for political parties, but they were also used to gauge the support among the ethnic groups.
“If the turnout at the open house is not so good, then they might have to come up with some mitigation plan,” Lee said when contacted.
“The Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, and Rungus (KDMR) votes are crucial for Warisan. For instance, the party contested many KDMR seats along with partners – Pakatan Harapan and Upko – but hardly won. Upko only won a seat in Kadamaian,” he said. – The Vibes, June 1, 2022
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