Warisan sets 'red line' for GE alliances, says Shafie

 By Olivia Miwil

August 9, 2026 @ 6:39pm

Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (seated, third from left) speaks at a press conference at party headquarters in Kolombong. NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININ

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan has set a "red line" in forming alliances for the upcoming general election, said its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

When asked about the possibility of the opposition party working with the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, he said the priority should be ensuring any cooperation benefits the people rather than individual politicians or parties.

Shafie said what matters in any political cooperation is whether it serves the needs of the people, rather than the interests of a political party.

"We don't mind working together in the interest of the people, but there must be a red line for me.

"I am not difficult to work with, but I have my own way of thinking.

"When working with political leaders, we must ensure that, just like when choosing friends, we consider who that person is," he said during a press conference at the party's headquarters.

Shafie was responding to questions on the possibility of Warisan working with GRS, following the election cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Negri Sembilan.

PN is an opposition coalition at the federal level, while BN is part of the federal unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Semporna MP, however, said there had been discussions on possible cooperation with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM).

At present, Warisan holds three parliamentary seats, namely, Semporna, Kota Belud and Lahad Datu, while KDM holds Kota Marudu. Keningau is currently held by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is president of STAR but sits in Parliament as a GRS MP.

Sabah has 25 of the 222 parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat, while Sarawak has 31.

When asked about possible political alignment at the federal level should a Borneo bloc make up 56 seats, Shafie said: "I know the numbers are important. That is why we hope Warisan can win 25 seats, together with our friends, while the other parliamentary seats are taken by parties from the peninsula.

"We know that we need alliances. At the national level, whoever forms the government, the alliance and the numbers will matter. You need 112 for a simple majority to form the government.

"What I can say is that we can't decide on alliances now, as the situation could change."