KOTA KINABALU: Even as he woos voters in Sabah, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has been angered by claims that Warisan is “PTI-friendly”.
The party president said he is fed up with opponents who continue to label Warisan as “PTI-friendly”. PTI stands for “pendatang tanpa izin”, or illegal immigrants.
The state Opposition leader is also upset by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) campaign slogan “Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga” (we protect our home).
The issue of illegal immigrants is increasingly being played up as polling day nears.
“It is purely a case of them being bankrupt of ideas,” Mohd Shafie said of those who imply Warisan is a party friendly to illegal immigrants, thus frightening voters in the interior of Sabah.
“Playing up this issue is like driving a wedge between Sabahans. I do not think Sabahans will buy into such things anyway,” he said after a ceramah in Tuaran on Tuesday.
According to Mohd Shafie, about 8,000 locals attended a recent Warisan event in Keningau.
“One can imagine how united Sabahans are,” he said, adding that the people want a change from the current administration led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
“I am a Sabahan, and I vote here. I was even appointed to federal positions,” said Mohd Shafie, who previously held positions in the Federal Government.
Warisan has also said it would be filing police reports to combat the spread of false information.
Shafie also took a swipe at the GRS slogan.
“How can you say you are protecting our home when you are working together with non-Sabah-based parties? Warisan is contesting all 73 seats. That is what we call protecting our homes,” he said.
GRS, which is in an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan, is contesting 55 of the 73 seats, with Pakatan taking the remainder.
Pakatan also has a separate electoral pact with Barisan Nasional. However, clashes are taking place among the three in various seats.
