Warisan: No talks with Umno to topple GRS state government

KOTA KINABALU: Opposition Parti Warisan has dismissed speculations that the party was in negotiations with other political parties to forge a coalition to topple Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) led Sabah government.

Warisan information chief Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari said that there was no truth in such speculations by certain analysts and bloggers claiming that a new coalition was being forged to replace the GRS state government.

"Warisan is not negotiating with any party including Umno to set up a new Sabah government," he said in a statement.

He said that Warisan as an opposition party was committed to its struggle for the good of the people by ensuring that the government functions on the right track and abide by the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Awang Ahmad's statement comes amid speculation that Sabah Umno led by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin might be forging a political alignment with Warisan led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Both state leaders have previously denied any plans to forge a political coalition but rumours have resurfaced after Umno national leadership indicated that Barisan Nasional would not work with Perikatan Nasional in the coming general election with no deals.

Sabah Barisan Nasional was part of the ten-party GRS state coalition government led by Sabah Bersatu chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

GRS coalition partners held a comfortable 50 seats in the current 78 member state assembly with both Umno and Bersatu each holding 16 seats each while Warisan has 19 seats and Pakatan Harapan with nine seats.

Bung Moktar had recently said that Sabah Umno would follow the decision of the national Umno if it decides to go against Bersatu.

He also said that the state Umno's autonomy was for the state while they would follow the party's national decision.