KOTA KINABALU: Senator Datuk John Ambrose hopes Parti Warisan will not rock the boat but allow the GRS-BN State Government to continue developing Sabah.
“I am not sure of Shafie’s motive but far as GRS is concerned, there won’t be any political conflict in Sabah,” he said, referring to Warisan President Datuk Shafie Apdal who raised doubts on GRS’ stand in joining the Pakatan-led unity government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“GRS is putting the interest of the State before anything else and is clear in its stand and direction.
“The GRS-BN State Government will continue. Although Warisan and other Sabah parties have also thrown their support to the Anwar-led Federal Government, they will remain as opposition at State level.
“This is not new. When PBS was the ruling government in Sabah, Usno was the opposition but both parties were supportive of the Federal Government.
“Shafie should also not pre-judge GRS’ sincerity in wanting what is best for Sabah. Likewise, GRS will not judge Warisan’s sincerity in supporting the Anwar-led government. So, Shafie should support the GRS-BN State Government in pursuing Sabah’s rights and interests,” the Penampang Bersatu head said.
He also said although GRS consists of Bersatu, PAS, Star, SAPP and Usno and are under Perikatan Nasional (PN), Hajiji, who is also GRS Chairman, had before GE15 stressed that GRS would contest under its own logo and not under the PN logo due to the political bickering in the peninsula.
All the MPs who won under the GRS ticket are not obligated to any other party or coalition but GRS only.
“I believe GRS MPs will perform their duties as expected. Hajiji had before GE15 insisted that Sabah will decide its own fate and contest under the GRS logo,” he said.
He said the GRS-BN State Government also received the support of Pakatan assemblymen in Sabah and during GE15 and this is good for the State as the political stability would bring about more foreign investments.
Ambrose said during Warisan’s administration, although Bersatu was part of the Pakatan Harapan Federal Government then, Shafie did not give even a district councillor’s post to Bersatu.
“We were never invited to any meeting. We were totally ignored but we never complained,” he said, in a statement.
“GRS is forming a Borneo Bloc with Sarawak’s GPS where eventually GRS and GPS will be working in tandem towards regaining its Malaysia Agreement rights from Federal.
“As for the national PN, it was their right to choose to be in the opposition. Just as we in GRS also have our right to be part of the unity government as advised by the King.”
Ambrose said since the dust has settled, Warisan, which support the PH unity government at the Federal level, should accord the same to the GRS-BN State Government to show sincerity in wanting the country and Sabah move forward.
Ambrose said politics is hard to predict just like when Warisan was administering the State, its partners were PKR, DAP and Upko.
“However, after Warisan lost the State election in 2020, all three parties although partners in PH were ditched by Warisan. Fast forward, PH is back in power and Warisan was among the first to announce its support.
— EDITOR