GE14 | Parti Warisan Sabah deputy president Darell Leiking (above) thought it was a misprint when he read a news report on caretaker Johor menteri besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin telling the Sabah diaspora in Pasir Gudang that there was no need to seek out Warisan as BN was there for them.

Khaled's statement, said Leiking, made it seem that the caretaker Johor menteri besar was acknowledging that Warisan was a formidable force against BN in Sabah.

"I should be thanking him for acknowledging that Warisan has reached all the way to Johor. That we are and indeed, a formidable force in Sabah as well as parts of the peninsula, in this case, Johor.

The incumbent Penampang lawmaker added that Warisan's influence was not only limited to Johor as there were many Sabahans who were staying and working in the peninsula.

"I think he should acknowledge the fact that Sabahans have now become a formidable force in our political journey and he should ensure that Sabahans there are given access to voting if they are registered to vote.

"Politically, I would like to urge my fellow Sabahans who are in Johor to make the right choice and vote for Pakatan Harapan," said Leiking.

Khaled, he believes, was indeed worried about both BN's chances in Sabah and in the peninsula.

"Because a lot of these young people there have registered to vote. Let's see what happens," added Leiking.

In a programme last night, Khaled said the Sabah community must understand the aspirations of Bangsa Johor and how they want to develop their state.

"They want a government where Sabahans will not be direction-less or seek out Warisan but Warisan is not contesting here. The one contesting here is me and my heart is here," he had said.

Apart from defending his Permas state seat, Khaled is also contesting the Pasir Gudang parliamentary seat where a significant East Malaysia diaspora is present due to a major port facility there where thousands are employed.

Many Sabahans still vote in their home state but some have relocated to Pasir Gudang, a parliamentary seat which BN won by a thin 935 vote majority.

While Khaled's words were intended to convince the Sabah diaspora in Johor, it also appeared to acknowledge that the less than two-year-old Warisan, led by former Umno leader Shafie Apdal, has emerged as a formidable force against BN in Sabah.