KOTA KINABALU: Opposition Parti Warisan has dismissed any backdoor negotiations for political alliances in the coming state election and reaffirmed its position to go in solo.
Warisan information chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman said that the party under Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has made it very clear that Warisan would contest independently on its own logo.
"There are no negotiations, discussions, or arrangements with Perikatan, GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah), or any other political coalition regarding electoral cooperation.
"Any suggestion or speculation of a backdoor alliance is baseless and does not reflect the official position of Warisan," he said when commenting on a statement by Perikatan's chief Takiyuddin Hassan who did not rule out the possibility of working with Warisan in the state election.
Takiyuddin told Sinar Harian that the collaboration was not impossible in the current political landscape as parties contesting alone were no longer relevant.
“That is why we see small parties also joining the coalition. However, the possibility of working with Warisan still exists because in politics anything can happen,” said Takiyuddin, who is PAS secretary-general.
In turning down the Perikatan overtures for an electoral pact, Azis said that Warisan has taken note of the party suggesting possible cooperation and respect their right to comment.
"Warisan will go solo, Warisan has, from the outset, made our stand clear," he said, adding that the party's stand remains unchanged.
He said that Warisan’s only and most important pact is with the people of Sabah.
"Our focus is to address the pressing challenges faced by Sabahans, including the rising cost of living, lack of infrastructure, unreliable electricity and water supply, limited job opportunities, and the long-overdue demand for Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)," he said.
While admitting that current times reflect political uncertainty and opportunism becoming common, he said that Warisan chose to remain consistent, principled and transparent.
"Our direction is clear: to contest solo and to provide Sabahans with a government that prioritises their welfare over political expediency," he added.
"Warisan reaffirms its stand — we will face the upcoming state election on our own strength and under our own banner.
"We are confident that the people of Sabah will continue to place their trust in Warisan to deliver a better, fairer, and more prosperous future for our state," he added.
Warisan has remained as the Opposition to GRS-Pakatan Harapan state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor but formed part of the Federal Government.
