A “trustee” could not only help stabilise the current political landscape but could also lead to the appointment of a prime minister or deputy prime minister from these two states, Darell Leiking said.

“Sarawak has already given the signal. Now the ball is in Warisan’s court as well as the voters in Sabah as to whether they want to make use of this opportunity or not,” the Warisan deputy president said in a statement.

Leiking said this in response to Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s speech yesterday that Sabah and Sarawak would be able to be “kingmakers” in the 15th general election as the two states had 56 parliamentary seats in total.

Shafie said Sabah and Sarawak would be able to determine which coalition formed the next government and help change the country’s political landscape.

Leiking said the Borneo Bloc idea had been around for a long time and was one of the reasons for bringing Sabah and Sarawak together to form a federation together with Malaya and Singapore in 1963.

Leiking said Malaya and Singapore, could count on Sabah and Sarawak, as “trustees”, to ensure political stability. This showed that such a bloc was “very important”.

Leiking said there was once again a need for a “trustee” in view of the current political uncertainty in Peninsular Malaysia, namely the power struggle between Umno and Bersatu as well as PKR’s credibility.

“With 56 parliamentary seats, a Borneo Bloc would be able to force any coalition that hopes to take over Putrajaya to not only award the two states what it rightfully deserves but also realise the MA63 agenda,” he said, referring to rights accorded under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Earlier today, Warisan vice-president Junz Wong said the Sabah-based party can work with GPS to fight for the rights of the two East Malaysian states under MA63.