Umno-Warisan may go against GRS, says Shafie as Bung remains coy

Warisan president Shafie Apdal has asserted that his party is poised to team up with Sabah Umno in the next state assembly election, which is not due until 2025.

Shafie told the Warisan annual general assembly in Kota Kinabalu today that Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin had expressed his agreement over the matter when it was conveyed to him.

However, Bung, who was also present at the assembly, was not as firm in his commitment, only telling reporters after Shafie's speech that he would not rule out cooperation between the two parties against the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) led by incumbent Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

According to former chief minister Shafie, Warisan had also previously invited Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), but the GRS component parties declined the offer.

He was, however, effusive about the team-up between erstwhile foes Warisan and Umno.

"It's not a problem and we will work together to defend the people of Sabah.

"He (Bung) is an old friend of mine. I am also his former boss (in Umno) but I am not someone who jumped after being fired from the party," Shafie said.

‘Cooperation is important’

According to a report by Sinar Harian, Kinabatangan MP Bung was warmly welcomed by Warisan representatives at the Hakka Likas Hall in Kota Kinabalu.

"Officially, (cooperation) does not exist yet. Cooperation is important. In life, there must be cooperation, husband and wife must have cooperation, without cooperation it will not work.

"I’m here because the president himself invited me, so I don't think there is anything wrong considering that Warisan (like Umno and GRS) is also part of the unity government. Both of us want to learn politics from other parties.

"The cooperation is something that is wanted, but I don’t know when," Bung said after attending the rally.

The term of the Sabah state assembly only ends in October 2025, but Hajiji recently hinted that state polls might take place earlier than planned.

He also expressed the hope that there would be no more attempts to seize power in the next state election, similar to what happened earlier this year, as it could jeopardise Sabah’s political stability.

Sabah Umno withdrew its support for Hajiji’s state government on Jan 5 this year, with Bung losing his position as deputy chief minister.

Several Umno assemblypersons left to join GRS parties while others remained with Umno but continued to support Hajiji’s government.

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