KOTA KINABALU: Warisan Party President Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal said the exit of several former party leaders is a common occurrence in politics.
He explained that all political parties go through periods of challenge, which reveal who truly stands by the party’s mission and who is more focused on individual gain.
“In politics, every party goes through different phases. Those who are truly sincere and committed to the struggle will remain.
“Those who are disappointed because they were not selected as candidates or because their personal ambitions could not be fulfilled will usually choose a different path,” he said in a statement here today.
Shafie was responding to the recent departure of several individuals from Warisan.
He noted that the party has dealt with similar situations before.
After the 2020 Sabah State Election, he recalled, a number of elected representatives who had won under the Warisan ticket went on to abandon the party, acting against the public mandate they had received.
“They switched parties for personal gain, jumping ship despite being elected with the trust and backing of Warisan supporters. Still, the party stood firm,” he said.
He pointed out that the latest wave of departures involves no elected officials. Instead, they consist of a small group of former division leaders and ex-party officeholders.
“In a democracy, people have the right to make such choices, and I wish them well,” he stated.
Shafie emphasized that Warisan’s resilience has never relied on any single person.
“Our real strength comes from our rank-and-file members, grassroots activists, and the people of Sabah who remain committed to an honest and principled fight for the state.”
“If there’s a positive side to this, it’s that the party is undergoing a natural process of renewal,” he added.
In his view, a political movement gains strength when those driven by genuine commitment stay, while others who are only loyal as long as they gain positions, nominations, or personal benefits eventually depart.
“Some people leave the party because they see politics in terms of what they can get from it.
“Those who stay recognize that politics is about what we can give back to Sabah,” he said.
He noted that claims of Warisan weakening have been made repeatedly over time—during instances of elected members switching sides, when senior figures exited, and even after last year’s election.
Yet, he emphasized, Warisan remains resilient because its foundation was never based on individual roles, titles, or any single leader.
“Instead, it is rooted in the hopes of people who desire a better future for Sabah,” he stated.
He also remarked that anyone unable to persevere through the challenges of being in the opposition will likely struggle with the greater demands of governance.
Shafie affirmed that Warisan will keep prioritizing the protection of Sabah’s rights, boosting the state’s economy, expanding opportunities for youth, and working toward long-term progress for its people.
“What has occurred is just a brief moment in a much longer journey.
“Warisan still stands united and will press on. The cause of Sabah will always come first,” he said.
