Shafie expected to address 'Bersatu is Umno' viral video tomorrow

Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal is expected to comment on a viral video, depicting a man resembling him likening Bersatu to Umno, tomorrow.

Contacted by Malaysiakini, an aide to the Warisan leader declined to comment on the video, apart from stating that the local press would quiz Shafee on the matter during an event tomorrow.

The video (below), which has been published on several blogs, showed the man having a conversation with several women, who are believed to be supporters of Sabah Bersatu chief Hajiji Noor.

Hajiji is also the former Sabah Umno chief.

Questioning one of the women on her reasons for supporting Bersatu instead of Warisan, the man said: "This Bersatu is Umno. You must understand this is politics."

"Who is in power? Is he (Hajiji) in power or am I in power?" he added.

Earlier, the woman conceded that Bersatu might be similar to Umno but since it is the dominant party in Pakatan Harapan, it attracted huge support.

It is unclear when the video was recorded.

Last December, Hajiji quit Umno together with 13 other Sabah state assemblypersons, four MPs, two senators, and 21 division chiefs.

A large number of them subsequently joined Bersatu.

Hajiji: Wrong to equate Bersatu with Umno

Bersatu's expansion into Sabah had initially met resistance from Warisan with Shafie himself urging the party to honour its promise before the 14th general election that it would not spread its wings to the East Malaysian state.

However, the chief minister later cleared the way for Bersatu's entry into Sabah as state laws do not prevent the setting up of new parties.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is Bersatu chairperson, had also insisted that the move was not to challenge Warisan but to strengthen its influence.

Commenting on the video, Hajiji (above) said it is incorrect for anyone to equate Bersatu with Umno.

“Bersatu is Bersatu. Umno is Umno. These are different parties with different leaders and different struggles. Those who equate the two are clueless about Bersatu's struggle,” he told Malaysiakini

Hajiji also pointed out that Shafie's political career itself was advanced through Umno, which saw him becoming the party's vice-president and a cabinet minister until falling out with the then-president Najib Abdul Razak in 2015.

Responding to another question, the Bersatu chief said he would discuss the video issue with Shafie if the opportunity arises. - Mkini