KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Warisan (Warisan) is still discussing with Sabah Umno over plans to cooperate and go up against Gabungan Rakyat Sabah(GRS), says Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
The Warisan president said it remained open to working with Umno or any other party, as long as they prioritised the growth and development of Sabah and its people.
"We are still in discussions with Umno, or any party… We are flexible. I was Umno vice-president for two terms, and I was an Umno member for 29 years, so I don't mind working with them.
"What's important to us is that the leadership must prioritise Sabahans, and not just think about Kuala Lumpur," he said in a press conference, in Parliament here, today.
At Warisan's annual general assembly in December last year, Shafie, who is also Semporna member of Parliament, had said there was no issue about working with Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
"Bung is from Kinabatangan. Although Bung is from the Peninsular Malaysia-based Umno party, he is vocal in fighting for the people of Sabah. This is more important for me," he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Shafie added that Warisan continued to support the unity government but added that this support should not be taken for granted.
"Just because we support (the unity government), does not mean that you can neglect us.
"I see that there has been a lot of spending on education in the Peninsula… There are many dilapidated schools in Sabah.
"There have also been a lot of allocation for healthcare facilities in the Peninsula, and yet in Sabah there are only three cardiologists for four million people," he added.