KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) has made it clear it will not sign a pact with Pakatan Harapan (PH) but will work towards forming a working relationship for the upcoming election.
Its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said he was currently in discussion with the opposition coalition as part of its winning preparation for GE14.
"I am talking to them and I am sitting with them but we have to finalise it. Our intention to win is clear and to realise this there must be united votes. That's why I'm talking to them.
"The response (from PH) looks positive but we have to make them realise Sabah's rights and interests must be protected. They (PH) have to focus on winning in the peninsula," he said today.
Shafie was speaking to reporters after attending Warisan's Chinese New Year Open House here. Present were party deputy president Darell Leiking, vice-president Junz Wong, Sabah PH chairman and Sabah PKR chief Christina Liew, and former Berjaya deputy minister and former Sandakan MP Datuk VK Liew.
The Semporna MP also stressed Warisan has potential candidates of various racial backgrounds who can deliver and represent the people.
"In Tenom, for example, we have a representative from the party who is a Murut to represent the community. Same goes to the Chinese community. We don't want DAP to take all Chinese seats because we have (Chinese) representative in Warisan too," he said.
To a question how soon Warisan could reach a deal with PH, Shafie said "before the desolution" while stressing the party's message was quite clear.
In delivering his speech earlier, he stressed on bringing a better change for Sabah and the country as a whole, including restructuring the education system and Yayasan Sabah.
"When we raise our voices for our demand (Sabah rights), it doesn't mean we don't love the country. We have plans and we are not only talking.
"Give us a chance and we will deliver. If we fail then don't vote for us in the next election," he said, calling the people not to divide their votes.
Meanwhile on VK Liew joining Warisan, Shafie said the former Liberal Democratic Party president would have a role in the party but noted it did not have to be becoming a candidate.
"He is not demanding for seat or to be a candidate. However, if you ask whether he will contest, surely he will not reject," he said.
Speaking to reporters, VK Liew said Warisan had laid out a foundation, giving Sabahans a choice to decide.
"I am leaving my options open. I've experience and I've always been a politician. I want to continue to serve the people and ready to contest wherever my political destiny takes me," he replied when asked whether he was ready to contest under Warisan.