Reject ‘big camp’, raced-based parties, says Shafie

PENAMPANG: The country should learn from its past mistakes and reject politics based on the “big camp” approach and race-based parties, says Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He cited the example of Barisan Nasional as a “big tent” where component parties are sidelined because of one dominant party in his speech when launching the party’s annual general meeting (AGM).

“The choice is no longer a ‘big tent’. Why do you think Warisan made its foray into Peninsular Malaysia? We (Warisan) want to provide the choice for voters in this country. Why not, the history of politics in Sabah showed a party like PBS can win without a ‘big tent’," he said

“We will contest in the 25 parliamentary seats in Sabah (for the 15th General Election) and we will contest in the peninsula, but not in Sarawak as we want to collaborate with their side," added Shafie.

He said on Saturday (Aug 27) that there is no reason why the Sabah-led Warisan cannot be accepted in West Malaysia.

Shafie said if PAS, whose leadership originates from Kelantan could contest in Johor, and DAP and PKR can contest and win seats in Sarawak, there was no reason why Warisan could not contest and win seats in Kedah, for instance.

“Moving forward, there must be inclusiveness in the political arena,” he added.

He said there was no reason why Sabahan or Sarawakian leaders could not hold high positions such as finance minister to help run this country.

“And if a coloured person like Barack Obama can become the United States president, why can’t we in Malaysia could not be led by a Sabahan?” he said.

Shafie also viewed that parties seen as championing only certain groups of people or a particular race are not sustainable.

In his speech, he reiterated that Warisan is open to working with PBS to face GE15.