Kota Kinabalu: Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal accepts the State election outcome and promised to keep fighting for Sabahans’ rights even though Warisan did not succeed in returning to power.
“Warisan won 25 out of 73 seats, making it the biggest single party with almost 26 per cent of the votes,” he told a media conference at the party’s headquarters in Kolombong, Sunday.
“As a single party, we have almost 300,000 votes. This is far more than the number of votes of any single party in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition,” he said.
He assured supporters that the trust given to Warisan would not be wasted, and that the party would keep fighting for a clean government free from corruption, unfair treatment and misuse of power.
“The mandate, the votes that have been given to us, we will do our best to ensure that their desire not only to see leaders from this party, but also a clean government, free from corruption practices, discrimination and abuse of power. This is what we want for Sabah,” he said.
He said he would be monitoring the new state government closely, particularly when they table the State budget.
“We wait and see how soon. I know them very well. I have been observing for a long time. But what is important is I will hear and I will see the budget that they will table.” He again said Warisan is committed to working with local parties to ensure Sabah-based parties govern Sabah, while cooperating with the federal government on national matters.
“We do not mind working with any local parties,” he said, but any cooperation must prioritise the needs of Sabahans over positions and projects.
Asked if he had met with representatives from other parties after the results, Shafie said: “No. I have been sleeping since yesterday. I am very exhausted, campaigning for many days.”He said any future meetings would take place at the State Assembly.
On concerns about potential party-hopping by Warisan’s elected representatives, Shafie said the party had taken precautions. “We have already signed. I met with them just now,” he said.
Asked if he would continue seeking the Chief Minister post which he held for just two years after the 2018 election, Shafie said: “I am fighting for the people’s interest.”Shafie said Warisan’s primary objective remains uniting Sabahans regardless of race and religion and ensuring the State’s voice is heard at the federal level.
“Sabah has the highest unemployment in the country and the biggest corrupt practice is in Sabah. Enforcement of law must be there not only as a form of deterrence, but we have to eradicate,” he said.