LAHAD DATU - Parti Pejuang Tanah Air’s (Pejuang) action to place a candidate to compete with Warisan in Sabah proves that Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is not Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s crony.
Shafie, who is the Warisan President, considered the claims made by Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) sponsor chairman that Warisan could not do anything in Sabah as just the latter’s own opinion.
"That's up to him (Mahathir). That's his right to say, I don't want to argue, but it is enough for me to state that we do not want to merge with any parties, the changes needed to be made by us.
"There are parties that said I have become Mahathir's crony, but today the one against me in Semporna is Pejuang, their areas are also clashing with Warisan’s," he told reporters after attending a programme with the people, here, on Monday.
However, he reminded the former prime minister that Warisan was the one who helped Pakatan Harapan (PH) form the government in the 14th General Election (GE14).
"I am confident if not for Warisan in Sabah, it wouldn't have sufficient numbers to aid PH in forming the government," he said.
When asked again about Pejuang's claims that Warisan was just a village champion, he stated that he let the people ensure their fate during the election.
Talking about the discussion with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) regarding the plan to form Borneo, he said the matter would be stated when the time comes.
"I will state Sarawak's voice, defend the rights of Sarawak. We will also defend the rights of Sabah, just wait for its time," he said.
Shafie previously named his brother Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal as the Lahad Datu Parliament candidate to contest two other candidates – Sia Yu Hock (PH) and Datin Maizatul Akmam Alawi (BN).