KOTA KINABALU: The formation of a Borneo bloc is possible if the people in Sabah vote for local parties that will fight for Borneo issues, says Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
The Warisan president said it was important to choose local parties as it would make it easier for them to meet the people's demands without having to go through any federal party leadership.
He cited Sarawak's minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who said that the state would not work with parties that require them to discuss the state's demands with leadership in Kuala Lumpur.
"Because every time they (Sarawak parties) work with parties who are based in the peninsula, they have to report to their bosses in KL before they can talk (in favour of) Sarawak's interests.
"They (state government) prefer to work with local parties that are on the same wavelength... it can be done in Sabah; the Borneo bloc can be realised," he added, saying Sabah's politics were currently too divided.
The former chief minister added that cooperation between Warisan and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is possible in order to realise a regional bloc.
"We have not yet had formal talks over the formation of a bloc, but if Sabahans vote for a local party with a strong mandate, I'm sure GPS will willingly talk to us – and vice versa – in the interests of both states," Shafie added.
He also refuted Pakatan Harapan's Tawau candidate Datuk Christina Liew's claim that he was lying about Pakatan not demanding for Sabah rights.
"I'm not telling lies, I have indicated to Liew and her leaders to fight for the Sabah interests, which they didn't.
"I encouraged them as local politicians who are also members of federal parties to fulfil our demands.
"I told her to tell their leaders to fight for the promises," Shafie said.
Earlier, Liew said Pakatan is also fighting to reclaim the 40% revenue share due to Sabah, denying Shafie's earlier claim.
