Warisan president Shafie Apdal has dismissed speculation of a cooperation with Barisan Nasional for the upcoming Sabah election, saying it “stands with the people” instead.
Shafie reiterated that his party will contest all 73 state seats up for grabs.
“Although some have speculated about potential alliances, what matters is that the party’s Supreme Council has met twice and unanimously decided that we will contest all 73 seats.
“So why should there be any talk about forming coalitions with other parties?
“Let me repeat once more … we are not forming alliances with any political party. Our cooperation is with the people, in their struggle for protection and survival,” the Senallang assemblyman told reporters after an event in Pitas, Sabah, today.
Shafie, who is also the Semporna MP, was responding to BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement last week that the coalition was open to cooperating with any party that shared its principles in the state election.
However, Zahid made it clear that this openness did not extend to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
He also said BN would work with a “third force” in Sabah to ensure that voters in the contested seats lean towards BN candidates. He did not elaborate on which parties would be in the “third force”.
Yesterday, Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin said the identity of the “third force” will remain confidential.
He was reported by New Straits Times as saying that if he were to disclose it, “others may take the idea, the party, or the candidates”.
Unless dissolved earlier, the Sabah assembly’s term expires on Nov 11, after which an election must be held within 60 days.
