Warisan chair urges members sceptical about going national to think 'big'
Warisan chairperson Liew Vui Keong told party leaders who are against the idea of the Sabah-based ruling party going national to think big.
Liew (photo, above) said this is particularly so when the party had recently explored the possibility of party president and Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal as the premiership candidate for the opposition coalition.
Warisan chairperson Liew Vui Keong told party leaders who are against the idea of the Sabah-based ruling party going national to think big.
Liew (photo, above) said this is particularly so when the party had recently explored the possibility of party president and Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal as the premiership candidate for the opposition coalition.
"Basically, I am thinking of our party president as the prime minister (candidate) of Malaysia.
"We have to think big, we cannot think small. Others may have their opinion which is entirely okay and correct. I feel free to say what I like to say and they can too," he said when contacted.
"I think it is important to look at the bigger picture at the end, a big apple for the country. I have to ensure the country progresses.
"Warisan's agenda is that we are inclusive, multiracial, and we want to get rid of race-based politics," he added.
He was responding to a Free Malaysia Today report which quoted several party leaders who raised concerns after Liew talked of the party's expansion.
An official said Warisan had not discussed the party's expansion, and a proposal to open the party’s doors to former PPBM leaders would lead Warisan astray from its Sabah-based struggle.
“Warisan is a Sabah-based party and as such the struggles are Sabahan. Expanding the party nationally means the party has to overhaul the struggle. This means we must do without some Sabah causes," said the Warisan official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Beside party expansion, Liew also said the party might open its door to accept Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a member.
He confirmed that the party had yet to discuss the matter but said it would be up to the party to decide about the matter.
Liew, however, said he might raise the matter with Shafie in their upcoming meeting in the capital.
When asked if Mahathir could be accepted by Sabahans as many linked him to the notorious IC project, Liew assured that Mahathir would not interfere into the affairs of the Borneo state.
"I think he is not going to be involved in Sabah's (affairs as he) is based in West Malaysia," he said.
"There are people who like him, and there are people who don't like him," he said.
"We had gone through the Royal Commission of Inquiry (into undocumented immigrants), but the report had not been made public. There had been lots of speculation on this, but let us (first) see the report," he said.
Meanwhile, Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking declined to comment to the media at the moment as he has to obtain the details from Liew.
"I just heard about it. I think I better check with him first because I am not sure that was what he meant. Let me find out first before I comment," he said.
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