KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah has reiterated its stand not to work with Umno to form a new state government in view of the various political changes and directions nationwide.

       Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has dismissed talk of the parties’ collaboration as “mere rumours”.

       “Our stand is firm enough,” he added.

       While acknowledging that changes need to be made in politics, he said they must be made according to the values a party brings.

       “We must look at the values they bring, I have already worked with many parties.

       “I was an Umno member, I worked with Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan before and is it my fault that when I see that the political direction is going awry, we change?” he asked.Warisan, said Shafie, will always act according to current situations, not based on rumours.

       Asked if Warisan is no longer stable with the latest quitting of two of its members – former vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony, who is also Melalap assemblyman, and Limbahau assemblyman Datuk Juil Nuatim – he said no.

       “This is just part of politics and it is one’s choice and right to quit a party,” he told reporters when met at the airport after flying in from the peninsula.

       Warisan now has 17 assemblymen from the 23 after last year’s state election following a string of defectors pledging support for the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government.

       Peter and Juil’s defection was seen as a blow to Warisan, which is said to be having trouble gaining support from the native Kadazandusun and Murut communities in Sabah.

       Shafie also said the party has its own strategy to fill up the gap with Peter’s defection and will not do things in a rush.

       He said what matters most is for a party to “stand firm for its cause and agenda, and to fight for it”.

       “Warisan can work with anyone as long as the direction is clear and firm,” he said, adding that Warisan remains a multiracial and multireligious party as from the start.