SHAFIE Apdal said he was the “solution” for an opposition prime ministerial candidate to resolve the power tussle between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim.

The caretaker Sabah chief minister said he was honoured to be named as the candidate as he felt there were those who were more deserving.

“They (opposition) thought that I was the solution to the two guys, Dr Mahathir and Anwar,” Shafie said in an interview with BFM’s Breakfast Grille this morning.

The Warisan president also said his nomination as the opposition’s PM candidate would put Sabah in a better bargaining position with the federal government.

“It has been the dream of our forefathers… but no (lawmaker) from Sabah or Sarawak became DPM or PM.

“Sabah can be the place and instrument to make Malaysia become a competitive nation.”

The Semporna MP said Sabah is positioned geographically between several important countries, including Japan and China, which makes it a bigger player in the trade route.

Malaysia should tap into Sabah’s potential for tourism, agriculture and oil, he said.

“We have to enhance the tourism sector where we have the biggest recipient. We also have 37 tonnes of oil reserve in Sabah, this can easily output 15 billion barrels. One can imagine if we can tap this potential.”

The former federal rural and regional development minister said he would use his position to negotiate better deals like oil royalty for his home state, which are long overdue.

“If we want to build nations, we need to touch the heart of all. Not individuals alone

“By giving the royalty, which is due to the state of Sabah. This goes to strengthening and building the nation.”

Shafie said if he comes into power, the national narrative would not be dominated by race and religion anymore. 

“I already have indicated why I set up Warisan as a multiracial party. If you have a country and nation… you do not just build the economy, you must unite the people first. 

“This is the top priority for the country to move forward. Race and religious factors can be very divisive,” the former Umno vice-president added. 

On June 27, Dr Mahathir threw his support behind Shafie as the prime ministerial candidate for Pakatan Harapan Plus. – August 7, 2020.