PETALING JAYA: Parti Warisan Sabah’s decision to spread its wings to Peninsular Malaysia will provide a platform for multiracial and inclusive politics, said party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

       He said there must be a transition from ethnicity and religion-based systems to something that focuses on inclusivity.

       “There should be a platform for structured changes in the country’s politics, from a race and religion-based current political system to a more inclusive and multiracial one in Malaysia.

       “There must be a transition now. We can’t wait, not tomorrow, not next week, not next month, not next year.

       “We start today in Kuala Lumpur,” he said during his speech at the launch of the Sabah-based party’s peninsular chapter yesterday.

       Shafie said the people must believe that change can be ushered in.

       “We must have the will, but will and desire cannot be realised and be a success without proper planning.

       “We will provide the platform for our vision of multiculturalism and unity.

       “I want to say here that Malays won’t die if there’s no Umno, Muslims won’t be neglected without PAS, Chinese won’t die in Malaysia without DAP.

       “When we use race and religion, it is very divisive,” he said.

       Shafie also lamented that the government handled many issues pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic poorly.

       “The pandemic has affected many countries; many businesses were affected. People lost their jobs, and some succumbed to the virus.

       “In our country, not only is the economic situation not healthy, we are facing a political crisis.

       “Our country’s debt is around RM1.2tril, more than 700,000 people are unemployed, and SMEs were closed down by the thousands,” he said.

       “How can we revive those sorts of industries which are the backbone of the country that had been providing jobs, products and services to the world, when we are not there to facilitate?” he said, adding that poor leadership is one of the most important problems the country is facing.

       “We failed to reform because politicians are driven by greed, lust for power, positions, and projects.

       “Our leaders must have good values, be on the right path, and have the right principles,” he added.