PARTI Warisan (Warisan) does not rule out the possibility of forging political cooperation with Sabah Umno in the next state election, its president Shafie Apdal said, adding such cooperation is possible if parties shares a similar interest in working together.

“We (Warisan) can sit down with them (Sabah Umno) to discuss efforts that would benefit the state and the people, like how it can be translated into reality.

“I told Bung (Moktar Radin) that we (Warisan) are here. If cooperation is needed, it is for the benefit of the people and the state of Sabah,” he told reporters after officiating the 6th Annual General Assembly of Warisan in Kota Kinabalu today.

He said this when asked to comment on the presence of Bung Moktar, who is Sabah Umno chief, as well as Sabah Umno secretary Jafry Ariffin and several other members at the event.

More than 3,000 Warisan delegates from across Sabah attended the assembly, which was also held as part of the party’s readiness for the next state election.

Shafie, who is also the Semporna MP and the Senallang assemblyman, said the grassroots Warisan members’ acceptance regarding the cooperation is showing a positive sign.

He said Warisan would conduct a series of tours in preparation for the state polls, and that the party is open to the participation of Sabah Umno members.

Meanwhile, Bung Moktar said that his presence was at the invitation from Mohd Shafie, and is not an offence as Warisan is also part of the federal government’s component parties.

“Firstly, it is to fulfil the invitation. Secondly, we also want to learn about other parties,” said the Kinabatangan MP.

When asked about the possible cooperation between Sabah Umno and Warisan, Bung Moktar said “only time will tell”.

Prior to this, Chief Minister Hajiji Noor was reported to not rule out the possibility of early state polls, even though the current term of the state government will only end in October 2025. – Bernama, December 14, 2023.