KIMANIS: Parti Warisan Sabah’s (Warisan) collaboration with Pakatan Harapan (PH) at the federal level is not merely “wayang kulit” (a shadow play), said its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
“To defend the rights of… Sabah, we have to work with the federal government.
“Coincidently, (PH leaders such as) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (PPBM chairman), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR president) and Lim Guan Eng (DAP secretary-general) are the leaders of the country,” he said during the launch of Warisan’s new branch at Kampung Kelatuan, here.
Mohd Shafie, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, was responding to Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who denounced Warisan for painting itself as a Sabah-based party, while holding pro-federal government sentiments.
The Rantau assemblyman added that Warisan is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Sabahans by insisting that it is not part of PH, which has performed poorly as the federal government and is seen in a negative light by locals.
Meanwhile, on Mohamad claiming that he was told that the Kimanis by-election is “a fight between Filipinos and Malaysians”, Mohd Shafie warned him not to play the racial or religious cards to divide the people.
“Warisan’s leaders Datuk Peter Anthony, Datuk Darell Leiking and I are Malaysians. If you want to fight and lure voters, do not accuse and use race and religion (to attack).
“In Sabah, we live peacefully. Stop dividing us. Enough is enough,” he added.
Earlier, Mohd Shafie said that Warisan had received membership applications from more than 400 individuals from 11 Umno branches in Kampung Kelatuan and Kampung Brunei.
“This is a good sign that there is a wave of awareness (on the importance of) defending the rights of Sabahans,” he added.
Also present at the launch were Warisan vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony, Beaufort MP Datuk Azizah Dun, Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah, Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Mahsiung Banah and Bongawan assemblyman Dr Daud Yusof.