Put people’s needs first, Shafie tells party members

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah members must remain true to its fundamental values by putting the people’s needs first, said party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He reminded them that the party was formed prior to last year’s general election, following calls for a change in the government, with the hope of a new beginning and a better future.

“We must remember why we are here today. It is the people’s voice that has allowed us to be here.

“Therefore their needs are our priority,” he said when addressing Warisan’s annual general meeting in Penampang, which ended yesterday.

Shafie said that Warisan, despite having members from other parties, must have ethics and the right attitude.

“We do not want to have negative practices. We want to work based on good values that can help strengthen the party and benefit the people and the government,” he said.

He said those who want to enrich themselves or become powerful by joining politics were not fit to be in Warisan.

The party, he said, started from humble beginnings and should remain that way.

“This platform is for us to serve the people, not to gloat or feel powerful,” Shafie said.

He acknowledged members who had been with the party from day one and who were not out for position or fame as they just wanted to serve the people of Sabah.

Shafie said the AGM, held for the first time since they took over the government, was a platform for members to choose leaders who they felt could really help the party and the people.

“We work based on our capabilities and we choose leaders who we think can help in the development of the state, and not based on gender, race or religion,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, he said Warisan must continue to foster strong relations with fellow parties such as Upko, PKR, and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

And as the Chief Minister, Shafie said he would continue pushing for Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

He also assured the people that the government would continue beefing up security in Sabah, adding that there would not be any passports or citizenships given to illegal immigrants.

The AGM, which closed last night, would see voting being conducted for supreme council members.

The posts of president, deputy and three vice presidents were respectively held uncontested by Shafie, Datuk Darrell Leiking, Datuk Junz Wong, Datuk Jaujan Sambakong and Datuk Peter Anthony.

It is the people’s voice that has allowed us to be here. Therefore their needs are our priority.

Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal