KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Warisan is looking at contesting in at least seven states in Peninsular Malaysia - Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Penang, Johor and Kelantan - for the 15th General Election.
Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal also said the Sabah-based party may contest two or three seats in Johor.
“I (recently) received a report of between two and three seats in Johor. Maybe Tanjung Piai, (and) Pasir Gudang,” Shafie told senior journalists at the Concorde Club meeting on Tuesday (Oct 11).
“The party is also contesting in Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Penang, Johor, and Kelantan,” added Shafie.
The Concorde Club is an informal group of editors and senior journalists meeting with politicians and key policy makers.
While acknowledging that contesting in Peninsular Malaysia could be a daunting task, Shafie appeared undeterred, saying that a ground survey by Warisan indicated there are seats where independent candidates could prevail.
“In certain Chinese areas, the independents managed to overcome major candidates. This means that in this coming election, some independents can win, so why not Warisan?” Shafie questioned.
In the Johor state election in March, Warisan lost deposits in all the six seats it contested.
Election deposits are forfeited if candidates failed to secure 12.5% of votes of the seats they contested in.
Shafie also said the party will field candidates in all 26 parliamentary seats in Sabah, which includes one in the Federal Territories of Labuan.
Noting that Warisan has seven MPs at present, Shafie said it’s crucial for the party to work harder in wooing voters this time around.
“We have been on the ground and tomorrow (Oct 12), I have functions taking place non-stop till this weekend,” said the former Sabah chief minister.
On the potential outcome of GE15, Shafie said there might not be any coalition that could single-handedly secure a two-thirds majority, which is 148 MPs out of the 222 parliamentary seats.
“I don’t think it will be an easy ride. I don’t think any coalition will be able to secure two-thirds,” he said.
“And that’s where Sabah and Sarawak will unite us,” added Shafie.
Shafie also said the voting patterns in Sabah and Sarawak have changed, where its people are opting for locally-based parties.
“They (Sarawakians) voted for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). Whatever it is, they made a bold statement by voting for GPS.
“In Sabah, they will go for local parties too,” said Shafie.
Shafie also said he was confident that Sabahans will see that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is a coalition that’s dictated by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia that’s based in Peninsular Malaysia.
“How can Bersatu dictate parties like Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and even work closely with Umno?
“GRS is in combination with Umno. They are working in Sabah but fighting against themselves in Peninsular Malaysia. So can you imagine, is there clarity in it?” Shafie questioned.
Parliament was dissolved on Monday (Oct 10).
The Election Commission will announce a nomination day and polling date within 60 days from the date of dissolution.
