Shafie: Warisan open to cooperation, but only with genuine Sabah‑based parties

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 30): Parti Warisan (Warisan) is open to working only with Sabah-based parties, said party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Shafie insisted that the state’s administration must reflect local voices and the aspirations of Sabahans rather than Peninsular-driven political interests.

He said the party has been consistent in its position that Sabah’s future must be shaped by leaders rooted in the state, adding that any cooperation would depend on the true definition of ‘local parties’.

When asked whether this stance includes Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Shafie replied that the coalition claims to be a local party, but stressed that “the majority is not an absolute majority”, hinting at his reservations about GRS’ composition and alignment.

He emphasised that the issue is not about rivalry between two blocs but about ensuring the state’s direction is guided by the real desires of Sabah’s people.

“I don’t want to comfort myself by saying we should be the government of the day because it’s not so easy.

“What matters is whether we can fulfil what Sabahans need,” he told a press conference at the Warisan office in Kolombong on Sunday.

Shafie reiterated that Warisan would not close the door to cooperation, but left it clear that any alignment must be rooted in genuine Sabah-based leadership and governance values.

In response to a separate question on whether he met any party leaders on the night the election results were announced, Shafie firmly denied it.

He said he had not held discussions with any political party after polling day, stressing that he returned home to rest after an exhausting campaign.

“There was no meeting. Wallahi, I did not meet any leader,” he said, adding that Warisan also has no immediate plans to hold post-election negotiations until the Sabah State Legislative Assembly convenes.

Warisan won 25 of the 73 seats it contested in the 17th Sabah state elections.

GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was sworn in as Chief Minister on Sunday following claims his side has the majority to form the state government.