Shafie: Warisan wants to govern Sabah without Bersatu

(The Star) – Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic) hopes that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will honour its word of not entering Sabah as promised.

Mohd Shafie said Warisan has made it clear before the 14th general election that the party wanted to govern the state on its own without Bersatu spreading its wings here.

“Bersatu listened to us. And we hope now after GE14, it will still listen to us,” he said during the Warisan Christmas Open House here on Sunday (Jan 6).

He said though Warisan has yet to have an official meeting with Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also the Prime Minister, over the matter, the decision is clear.

“We have stated our stand before this, and have indicated to them (Bersatu) of what we think of them wanting to spread their wings here,” Mohd Shafie said.

It was reported that several Umno leaders left the party, with the intention of joining Bersatu and opening up a chapter in Sabah.

Mohd Shafie said, of course, it would take time for former Umno members and those in the opposition to realise their political direction but what was important was to have good ties with the federal government.

“There is no question about us in Sabah undermining the federal government as well, we can work with the government, and we can do the job,” Mohd Shafie said.

Mohd Shafie said Warisan has been supportive of most of the things done by the federal government.

“We will always be supportive, what is important is that we know the politicians in Sabah very well, more than them (in the peninsula),” he added.