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The Malaysia Warisan Wants To Build with Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal | Facebook
After decades of corrupt racial and religious politics, time for Sabahans to kick out all Malayan politicians and parties
KUALA LUMPUR, March 26, 2025: It is time for Sabahans to emulate their Sarawakian neighbours in rooting out racial and religious politics and go for multiracial Malaysian governance of inclusivity.
Look at how fast Sarawak has leapt in socio-economic progress under a government of sincere politicians who truly serve the rakyat dan negara (people and country).
Similarly, Sabah should be for Sabahans, just like Sarawak is for Sarawakians.
Therefore, come the next elections, Sabahans should just dump all the Malayan political parties for Shafie Apdal's Warisan.
Haven’t Sabahans have had enough of the decades of corrupt racial and religious politicians and parties from West Malaysia?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below an opinion piece by a Sarawakian journalist:
MY NOD FOR SHAFIE APDAL
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Among Malay/Muslim politicians in Sabah, I believe I see something in Shafie Apdal, a former Sabah CM and Warisan president. He seems to be more moderate and inclusive and hence, a more acceptable personality among non-Bumi Sabahans.
Then again, I could be wrong too.
Anyway, in this article, I hope to see a fruitful and meaningful outcome for Warisan’s “going solo” move in the coming Sabah elections. I don’t mind to give Shafie and Warisan another shot at the helm of The Land Below the Wind.
(The recent exposure of Sabah ministers, including CM Hajiji, in a major corruption scandal, makes the current government untenable and should be rejected outright by Sabahans at the coming polls.) - fs ✍️
Warisan’s solo move a calculated, strategic one
26 March 2025
‘Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.’
Ernest Benn, British publisher
ON March 8, Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal declared that his party would contest the coming Sabah election on its own, brushing off speculation about forging electoral pacts with other parties.
On March 21, he reiterated his party’s going solo stand, following a call to reconsider the decision.
I, for one, totally understand Shafie’s position. If I were the Warisan president with the same clout as the man, I would have no hesitation in taking a similar stand. Why? Because the solo move is a calculated and strategic one.
Shafie’s March 8 announcement followed Sabah Barisan Nasional’s decision to uphold its alliance with Pakatan Harapan in the upcoming state election.
With the two main blocs locked in, where does that leave a smaller party like Warisan? Warisan is a supporter of the Madani government at the federal level. If Shafie, a former Sabah chief minister, and Warisan hope for a prominent role in Sabah politics after the elections, then it has to go on its own.
When two key partners are in a coalition, expect them to get the lion’s shares during seat negotiations. The bigger parties will get more seats to contest and the smaller partners much less.
That’s the name of the game in a coalition government. Take it or leave it! I doubt Warisan, as the backbone of a previous Sabah government, will be able to take it. Shafie was chief minister before; don’t expect the man to settle for anything less.
It’s understandable for Shafie’s confidence to be buoyed by Sabah’s history of the successes of multiracial parties such as Berjaya and Parti Bersatu Sabah which had previously won and formed state governments in the state.
Even Warisan was successful after the 2018 election when it also managed to form the Sabah government, albeit for a short two years. Well, it had done well in 2018 and could do it again.
Hence, Shafie’s decision for Warisan to contest solo in the upcoming elections is a necessary, calculated and strategic move aimed at consolidating the party’s influence and positioning it as a dominant force in the state’s political landscape. Going solo allows Warisan to assert itself as the primary voice for Sabahans without external interference.
Shafie, a Sabah political veteran, is also known for his inclusive leadership, appealing to Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the Borneo territory. Aligning with national coalitions could alienate some of Warisan’s key supporters, particularly those who favour a Sabah-centric approach to governance.
Going solo will also enable Warisan not to repeat its past mistakes of entering unreliable alliances with other parties.
Shafie stated at a party event in Kota Belud last Friday that “I have had extensive experience forming alliances, I have partnered with everyone and there is hardly anyone I haven’t worked with.
“That is why I believe the time has come for us to establish clarity on our direction and ensure that the people of Sabah are genuinely better off,” the Warisan boss stressed.
Indeed, Sabah politics is highly fluid, with shifting alliances and frequent party-hopping. By contesting independently, Warisan mitigates the risks of post-election defections and internal conflicts that could weaken its stability.
In the event that no party secures a clear majority after the polls, Warisan will be in a strong position to negotiate from a position of strength, potentially playing the role of kingmaker. This would give Shafie leverage in shaping Sabah’s political future.
The former CM is also aware that Sabahans have historically favoured parties that champion state rights and autonomy.
Warisan’s decision to go solo reinforces its image as a party that prioritises Sabah’s interests over national political manoeuvring.
While this going solo move carries certain risks — such as splitting the opposition vote — it aligns with Warisan’s long-term strategy of establishing itself as a dominant political force in Sabah.
Shafie’s political experience and strong reputation suggest that he understands the stakes and is confident in Warisan’s ability to secure significant electoral gains on its own.
Another poser for the polls is whether the recent corruption allegations surrounding several Sabah ministers have the potential to impact voter behaviour and possibly tilt the election in the opposition’s favour.
I believe there will be some impact as Sabah voters are known to change their state governments following major crises or scandals.
However, it must also be pointed out that while the corruption scandals have the potential to sway public opinion and impact the ruling coalition’s standing, the opposition’s ability to capitalise on this will depend on their strategic actions and alliances in the lead-up to the elections.
This is something which Shafie and his potential allies, if any, will seriously have to take note of in the days and months ahead before the Sabah election is due in December this year.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.
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