KOTA KINABALU – Warisan’s dismal performance in the 15th general election was largely due to a strong tsunami of voters, who, among other things, wanted Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be prime minister, said former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The Semporna MP said this was especially clear among the voters in the urban areas and the KadazanDusun and Murut constituencies where his party lost.
“One of the factors clear to us yesterday was that there was a strong message from PH that they wanted to give Anwar a chance to become prime minister and there were strong sentiments for this, especially among the Chinese voters,” Shafie told a press conference at Warisan headquarters here today.
In Kapayan, for instance, Shafie said he noticed the reservation in voters not wanting to greet or shake hands while he was visiting polling centres.
Kapayan is a state seat within the Penampang parliamentary constituency.
Warisan failed to win big in the polls, losing 22 out of the 25 seats they contested in Sabah.
The party only took three seats in the state, namely Semporna, Kota Belud and Lahad Datu.
Shafie noted Warisan lost some of the seats the party was confident of winning due to split votes.
Nonetheless, Shafie said Warisan accepts and respects the decision of the voters in this election and will remain pragmatic over the outcome.
He believes Warisan can still contribute to the country’s political stability despite only winning three parliamentary seats due to the dynamic political situation in the country.
“We can still contribute to the political stability of the country as any alliance which has the chance to form the federal government will seek the support of parties like Warisan,” he said.
Towards this end, Shafie said Warisan will keep to its Borneo bloc push and will maintain the party’s presence in the peninsula.
Also present were Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking, vice-president Terrence Siambun, secretary-general Datuk Loretto Padua Jr and the party’s candidates. – The Vibes, November 20, 2022
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