Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has warned potential party candidates that they risk to be slapped with a RM10 million lawsuit if they defect after securing a win in the forthcoming state election. 

The party has yet to revealed its list of candidates. 

“If anyone defects, I will haul them to court and sue them for RM10 million,” Shafie told reporters during a visit to fire victims from Kampung Petagas and Jalan Bukit Vor at Dewan Sri Putatan here today.

The Warisan chief made clear the warning wasn’t rhetoric but a policy, one grounded in the anti-party hopping law passed in 2022. 

“In this coming election, any candidate I field — if they act against the party or the law — I will take legal action. This is important for us,” he said.

The warning was aimed to prevent a repeat of defection that rocked the party after the Sabah Election in 2020. 

Warisan lost several seats including Petagas after its assemblyman Datuk Awang Sahari crossed over to Gagasan Rakyat. 

Shafie believes Warisan can reclaim the Petagas seat — but said it depends on fielding candidates who “don’t just ride on the machinery” but possess values and backbone.

“You need more than flags and logistics. People want leaders, not just party members,” he said.

He also issued a timely reminder that political winds are shifting fast — especially with 65% of Sabah’s electorate now made up of young voters aged 18 and above, automatically enrolled under the Undi18 law.

“They’re not just into politics — they want change. They don’t want frogs,” he said, in a pointed dig at Sabah’s long-running party-hopping culture.

Though several names have emerged as possible candidates, Shafie said popularity isn’t the benchmark.

“This election isn’t about who is loudest. It’s about returning the mandate to govern. Without the right mindset, Sabah will keep suffering.”

The Semporna MP lashed out at persistent problems — from water disruptions to opaque finances — that continue to plague the state.

“The money is there. But where has it gone?” he asked. “There must be leadership that listens. Not to itself — but to the rakyat. Otherwise, we’ll be the only ones feeling satisfied.”

“I’m not a millionaire,” he added. “But I know what kind of leadership can uplift Sabah and help the downtrodden. That’s what we need.”

Asked if Warisan would contest all 73 state seats, Shafie said the party was “with the people” and would make decisions based on the ground sentiment. “I’ll announce it at the right time.”

As for the timing of the assembly’s dissolution, he brushed it off.

“That’s not my business. That’s the Chief Minister’s call. He wants to dissolve yesterday, last month — I don’t care. What I’m doing is preparing. Don’t wait for the rain to come before fixing the roof.”

Hajiji has hinted the state assembly may be dissolved after Gagasan Rakyat’s general assembly at the end of July. – June 17, 2025