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PETALING JAYA: Warisan has ruled out working with any party that has previously “poached” its assemblymen, says its president, Shafie Apdal.
Shafie claimed that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor had once expressed interest in working together but later took Warisan’s assemblymen, Sinar Harian reported.
“Ask him … he even came to my house. But before anything could materialise, he took my assemblymen after visiting me,” he was quoted as saying.
“How can I collaborate with someone who does such a thing? One’s integrity isn’t just about words or actions. It’s about their honesty.”
Warisan lost four assemblymen to GRS last year after the failed attempt to unseat Hajiji by Shafie and Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Bung Moktar Radin.
The four were Awang Ahmad Sah (Petagas), Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi), Chong Chen Bin (Tanjong Kapor) and Norazlina Arif (Kunak).
Before that, 11 Warisan assemblymen had already defected to parties under GRS after the 2020 snap state election.
Shafie was responding to GRS deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali, who said any party wishing to cooperate with his coalition need not wait for the next Sabah state elections to be called.
Hajiji, who is also the Sabah chief minister, recently announced that a committee would be set up to discuss the upcoming polls with partners and allies, particularly Pakatan Harapan.
BN, which is in the opposition in Sabah, and GRS have both said they would work with PH. However, STAR and PBS have said local parties must dominate the state government.
Warisan has also said it was open to working with local parties.