Former LDP president is Warisan ‘friendly’

KOTA KINABALU: Suspended former Liberal Democratic Party president Datuk V.K. Liew said he had decided not to remain in the party and announced that he was becoming ‘friendly’ to opposition Parti Warisan Sabah.

“I was suspended by LDP but I believe it has been lifted. However, I’ve not received any black and white from LDP.

“But I have decided to step out because I don’t want to remain in the same place,” said Liew, who was ousted by LDP in an acrimonious internal party fight with his successor Datuk Teo Chee Kang in the aftermath of losing the Sandakan parliamentary seat in the 2013 general election. Liew was subsequently suspended.

The former federal deputy minister told reporters after attending the Parti Warisan Sabah Chinese New Year open house on Saturday (Feb 24) that he was still keeping his political options open though he finds Warisan a good party that subscribes to Sabah rights.

“I think the people in Sabah have this choice to decide to have Warisan as their government,” he said.

When asked if he was keen to contest in the coming elections, he said: “I am ever ready. I have been president of a political party, have been a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, I have been MP Sandakan, and I have all the necessary experience and merits.”

Warisan president Shafie said Liew had a role to play but did not have to be a candidate.

“As a former LDP leader he can also play a role, not demanding a seat, not to be a candidate. But of course if we say: ‘Can you contest?’ surely he will not reject, I hope,” Shafie added.