KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan has reiterated its willingness to work with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to face the 15th General Election (GE15), even as it admits it needs to strengthen its own house first.

       Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic) said PBS was a local party and among the few it was open to collaborating with for GE15.

       He said PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili was an old friend.

       “Max and I went to the same school and were in the federal Cabinet together.

       “However, Warisan must also focus first on building and strengthening its own house before we can talk about or further plan collaborations,” Shafie said during a Kaamatan programme in Kota Belud on Sunday.

       He said Warisan had supporters from inside and outside the state but the calls to work with local parties came from his own party members and grassroots supporters.

       Warisan has on several occasions said it wanted to work with PBS if the latter was receptive to it.

       PBS, on its part, has always maintained that it can work with anyone as long as the agenda is right and benefits Sabahans.

       On Sunday, Warisan suffered a sixth defection from among its assemblymen.

       Prior to that, one of its assemblymen passed away while two others joined the party after leaving DAP.

       Warisan now has 18 members in the 79-seat state legislative assembly.