‘Warisan will work tirelessly to assure Sabahan voices are heard’
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has called for unity among local parties to ensure Sabah’s voice is heard.
“What’s important is uniting all Sabahans and making sure our voices are heard. We will never stop uniting Sabahans regardless of differences,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Warisan won 25 seats in the Sabah polls held on Saturday.
Asked if this meant working with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) which won 29 seats, Shafie said local parties did not necessarily mean GRS.
He also questioned if GRS is truly a local party.
“Is there an absolute majority?” he asked, stressing that Warisan will do its part for Sabahans.
“It is not about the voice of differences but the desire for Sabahans to decide their future. The real question is if we can fulfil what Sabahans need,” he added.
Shafie, who retained his Senallang seat, said achieving unity among local-based parties would not be an easy feat.
“But we have to, regardless. Our voice and actions must be very clear.
“I have seen governments tumble. We have learned lessons from Sarawak and other countries where a single strong voice is heard,” he said, voicing concerns about those claiming to be local parties but whose actions showed otherwise.
Besides the state assembly, Shafie, who is the Semporna MP, pledged to make Sabah’s voice also be heard in Parliament.
He brushed aside talk that Warisan had held discussions with other coalitions or parties.
“The only time we will meet is when the State Legislative Assembly has its meeting. Let us all focus on Sabah. We must unite Sabahans,” he said.
On the swing of urban votes in favour of Warisan, Shafie said this reflected how voters upheld values, integrity and struggles of the party.
“People also tend to vote based on emotions,” he said.
Shafie extended his gratitude to the Chinese voters, saying: “I really appreciate them for their values in wanting those with integrity.
“We previously did not have a strong presence in urban areas but now we do. Our voices are prominent and more pronounced than before.”
Warisan managed to secure convincing wins in Sabah DAP’s strongholds of Likas, Luyang, Kapayan and Elopura.
