KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is undaunted by a barrage of attacks from three major coalitions up against his Parti Warisan.
He said he remains firm in his commitment, and that Malaysia needs a new direction away from the politics of race and religion.
"We have started this new direction and people have been positive towards our ideals," he said when asked if he was feeling overwhelmed as a lone wolf taking on major coalitions from both the government and opposition.
" I have seen that, the reception I'm getting is very warm. I have attended dinners in Sandakan and Tawau, they approach me, hold my hand, take pictures, the people's body language is a good indication and I feel touched by their warmth," he said.
He said that the people want to see the country on the right path of real unity.
"I am talking about putting the country on the right path because our politics now is very, very divisive using race and religion.
"It is not a question of how heavy it is (to go alone), I know it’s not an easy task for us, but someone somewhere must start the ball rolling to ensure that irrespective of race or religion, this country belongs to all Malaysians,” he said, adding that he has been receiving positive feedback on this issue.
He said his political rivals were not able to challenge Warisan’s aim to build a united nation but instead resorted to making unfounded personal attacks against the party.
Shafie said that he had served under Barisan Nasional and worked with Pakatan Harapan but they were not trying to change things.
He said when Warisan and Pakatan were in the state government between 2018 and 2019, it focused on resolving people's problems including helping people get their native land titles.
"People remember it and many come and thank me for helping them," he said, adding that his opponents were not able to take Warisan's direction.
"They have only resorted to baseless name calling like calling us PTI party," he said referring to aspersions that the party was linked to illegal immigrants.
Shafie, whose power base comes from the east coast of Sabah, said that he was confident the party could win more than 10 of the 25 seats in the state.
Warisan is also contesting Labuan FT and 26 parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia.
