According to Sinar Harian, the former Sabah chief minister said Warisan’s priorities are in defending the state’s rights and resolving critical issues plaguing its people.

Shafie said Sabahans are facing economic, health and educational challenges that are stymieing their development.

“We believe cooperation with (local) parties that share the same vision can strengthen our representation of Sabahans, thus forming an excellent alliance ready to take on the state’s unique challenges.

“Warisan’s commitment to greater autonomy and development for Sabah has never wavered, and we are always prepared to work with others who truly fight for the interests of Sabah and Sabahans,” he was quoted as saying.

Earlier today, political analyst Tony Paridi Bagang of Universiti Teknologi Mara Sabah predicted that Warisan would go solo in the next state election after its potential partner, Sabah Barisan Nasional, stated its intention to work with Pakatan Harapan.

Warisan and Sabah BN had attempted to unseat Hajiji Noor as chief minister in January 2023, which failed after the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman received the backing of PH and a handful of Sabah Umno assemblymen.

In December 2023, Shafie announced that Warisan and Sabah Umno would work together for the next state election. However, several months later, BN deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan said the coalition’s federal leadership would decide on the matter.

Last month, Warisan said it would defend the 23 seats it won in the 2020 state election. It currently only holds 14 seats following a series of defections.