Warisan will support any govt that brings stability, says Shafie

 

Shafie Apdal said Warisan will not neglect what has been built in the peninsula while it continues to strengthen its position in Sabah.

KOTA KINABALU: Warisan will support the formation of a federal government that can bring stability to the country and protect the interests of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, says its president Shafie Apdal.

Without naming any leader or party, he said Warisan had received phone calls from several political party leaders who expressed an interest to cooperate and the party was still considering the matter.

“What is important to us is the stability of the country and the importance of the Bornean states for the people.

“Even though the number (of parliamentary seats won by Warisan) is small, it can add stability to the country’s political situation and whoever wishes to form the federal government needs this support.

“Anyone who wants our cooperation should consider what is fundamental to our struggle, including the interests of the people, Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) and Warisan’s survival,” he said at a press conference at the party’s headquarters here today.

In the 15th general election (GE15) yesterday, Warisan won three out of 52 parliamentary seats contested through Shafie (Semporna), Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Kota Belud) and Yusof Apdal (Lahad Datu).

Commenting on the results of GE15, Shafie said it was the decision made by Malaysians in line with the democratic process and people’s rights, adding that Warisan accepted it with an open heart.

“We cannot deny this result because the people have fulfilled their responsibility to choose who they want. There was a ‘voting tsunami’ and Warisan lost its targeted seats. But we accept and respect the people’s decision,” he said.

Asked about Warisan’s plans for the future, Shafie said the party wants to strengthen its position in Sabah but, at the same time, will not neglect what has been built in the peninsula.

“We already have a structure, and some areas received thousands of votes. So, we can’t say that there is no acceptance of Warisan by the people in the peninsula.

“Maybe it is too early for us to win. It takes time to get to know Warisan, the candidate, the manifesto and so on,” he said.

He said apart from the federal level, Warisan still has to play a role at the state level as it has 18 state seats in Sabah and one in Selangor. - FMT