By Nancy Lai onSabah
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Shafie speaking to the media today.
KOTA KINABALU (April 16): Parti Warisan (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has no objections Umno Sabah and Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah working together in the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN17).
Shafie stressed that Warisan’s priority is to champion the welfare of the people in the state.
Elaborating on his view, Shafie expressed concern over the state of infrastructure development in Sabah, which he claims has been hampered by corruption.
According to him, while some argue that Sabah cannot be compared to Sarawak due to the latter’s strong state revenue, not all development failures should be blamed solely on the Federal Government.
“We cannot place 100 per cent of the blame on the Federal Government for our failure to develop Sabah. One of the diseases spreading in this state, and which worries me for future generations, is corruption,” he said.
“From the grassroots level up, corruption is spreading,” he told a press conference at the State Assembly sitting here today.
Shafie also expressed disappointment with the water supply disruption at the State Assembly building today and cited as example in his own constituency, where the lack of water supply raises serious questions.
“Only when the water tanker arrives is there water. Where is the piped water? Surely even the State Assembly area should have water supplied by the Water Department? This is very concerning to me,” he said.
On the issue of political alliances, he reiterated that it is up to the parties involved.
“For us, what matters is that the people of Sabah determine their own future. They should not be dependent on political alliances just to escape the constraints of various issues,” he said.
Meanwhile Shafie also expressed his condolences over the recent passing of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, remembering him as a sincere and visionary leader.
“I was in Kuala Lumpur when he passed. He was my family, an uncle from my wife’s side and I flew back yesterday after attending the service. My presence, although brief, was to honour a man who contributed immensely to this country,” he said.
Shafie, who served under Abdullah during his administration, recalled being given the opportunity to represent Malaysia at the United Nations in New York, where he delivered speeches on economic issues and gained valuable exposure as part of Abdullah’s initiative to promote youth involvement in governance.
“He believed in nurturing young leaders. He later appointed me as Minister of Domestic Trade, and subsequently, Minister of Culture and National Unity. Through him, I learned what it meant to lead with sincerity and substance.”
He also praised Abdullah’s legacy in introducing the concept of Islam Hadhari and strengthening Malaysia’s halal industry, recalling his own involvement in halal certification missions abroad.
“His leadership wasn’t just political, it was moral and strategic. He wanted government agencies to function efficiently and with integrity,” said Shafie.
Reflecting on Abdullah’s six years as Prime Minister, Shafie noted the visionary policies he championed, including the development of regional economic corridors that continue to benefit Malaysia to this day.
“He was a statesman of great humility and integrity. We owe it to his legacy to uphold those values.”
