It's work as usual for Shafie amid speculation on Sabah CM's stand over national political wrangle

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is working as usual at his office on the 32nd floor of the state administrative building here amid swirling rumours of who in Putrajaya will gain his party’s support with different camps in Putrajaya trying to cobble together a majority in Parliament.

The Chief Minister was receiving a courtesy call from newly appointed Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Zaini Jass and several state Cabinet members including deputy Datuk Christina Liew, who is Sabah Pakatan Harapan chairman.

A news portal claimed that Shafie was in meetings with Umno, PAS, Bersatu, and Sarawak leaders.

“It is work as usual, he has no immediate plans or scheduled trips to Kuala Lumpur today (Feb 25), ” an official at his office said.

He said that they have been many speculations and spins about Warisan and Shafie's stand with the current situation in Putrajaya.

He said that the Warisan president had made it clear that his party is behind interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and for him to continue his full term in office.

“Any other fresh developments or shift will be told to the media in due course, ” he said.

Warisan and Upko - both Pakatan-friendly - have 10 MP seats and are being sought by various key political parties as they try to gain a majority in the 222-member Parliament.

Amid the current horse-trading among political parties, it was learned that both Umno and even Bersatu have also contacted Warisan leaders for their support with offers of future Cabinet positions.

However, sources in Warisan insist that the party would work with the Federal Government of the day and their current stand is for the continuity of Dr Mahathir’s term.

It is still not clear if Dr Mahathir would be putting in place a fresh coalition government following his resignation as Prime Minister on Monday (Feb 24) and subsequent resignation as chairman of Bersatu which left the Pakatan coalition.

Amid a flurry of speculations over the next government, local Warisan leaders remain upbeat that Dr Mahathir will put together a government with various parties.