SEMPORNA: Parti Warisan will insist on a clear “red line” to safeguard Sabah’s rights and interests in any political cooperation ahead of the next general election.
Its President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said Warisan remained open to working with other political parties but would ensure Sabah’s voice was not compromised by the interests of any wider coalition.
He said this was important to ensure the needs and aspirations of Sabahans remained a priority whenever political alliances were formed.
“It is important to set a ‘red line’ when we form a coalition in the future,” he said after officiating the Warisan Semporna annual meeting, here, Friday. Shafie saidWarisan would prioritise cooperation with Sabah-based parties, while continuing its cooperation with parties at the national level.
He said any political arrangement should enable Sabah’s collective voice to be translated into action rather than merely forming part of a broader coalition decision.
Shafie said strengthening Sabah’s voice should not be viewed as excessive state-based sentiment or as an indication that Sabahans were less committed to Malaysia.
“This does not mean we have excessive state sentiment or that we do not love the country. It is part of the effort to strengthen the development of our nation,” he said.
He said national development should also take into account the needs of people at the grassroots level. “There is no meaning in talking about Malaysia but setting aside the wishes and needs of the people at the grassroots,” he said.
On the number of parliamentary seats Warisan would contest in the next general election, Shafie said the decision should be left to the people and voters.
He said voters would determine whether the party could represent a united voice and translate its commitments into action.
Shafie also said Sabah’s political direction should continue to be guided by the history of Malaysia’s formation and the contributions of past leaders, including the late Tun Mustapha and the late Tun Fuad Stephens.
He added that the present generation had a responsibility to learn from history while continuing efforts to strengthen the country without setting aside Sabah’s rights and interests.
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