Talk of Barisan-Warisan pact heats up after Bung Moktar makes appearance at AGM

KOTA KINABALU: All signs are pointing towards Barisan Nasional and Parti Warisan teaming up in the next Sabah election to take on the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government.

Sabah Barisan chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin made an appearance at Warisan’s annual general meeting (AGM) here on Thursday (Dec 14) on the invitation by Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Both leaders however shied away from confirming if a pact was already in place.

Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Umno chief, played coy when asked if his party would be working with Warisan in the next state polls, saying they were only there as they accepted Shafie’s invitation.

“So, I think there’s nothing wrong with that since Warisan is also a part of the (Federal) government.

“We also want to learn politics from other parties,” he said.

When pressed if his presence meant there could be an official pact between the parties, he said: “None yet but cooperation is important.

“There must be cooperation but when, we don’t know. Even a husband and his wife must work together, if not, things will not happen,” Bung Moktar said, with a chuckle.

Bung Moktar had led a Sabah Umno group that included its secretary Datuk Jafry Arifin to the Warisan AGM.

During a press conference later, Shafie said both parties had somewhat discussed how they could work together in the interest of Sabah and its people.

He said he would not have an issue cooperating with Barisan for the state polls if it became a reality.

“If that (formal partnership) is what is desired by them (Barisan), then there is no reason for us not to (have it).

“I mentioned to Bung Moktar, ‘we are here’. If there is a need for cooperation between us, then it must be for the good of Sabahans and the state,” he said.

Shafie said he had extended invitations to other parties, including Parti KDM led by former Warisan vice president Datuk Peter Anthony, to come to the AGM but they did not turn up.

To a question on possible brickbats Warisan may get for potentially working with a peninsula-based party like Barisan, he said: “We are working for the interest of the Sabah people and the state … Bung Moktar is from Kinabatangan.

“Because we believe at the end of the day that any single party in Sabah, come the time, you have to work with peninsula-based parties as well.

“But I have already indicated it must be for the interest of Sabahans and Sabah, not so much Warisan or Umno,” Shafie said.