KOTA KINABALU, Sept 24 – Opposition parties in Sabah are cautiously welcoming Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to the fray, saying they were prepared to work with his party for the good of Sabahans.

Shafie is taking over an existing local party with the intention of turning it into a multiracial platform with Sabah interests at its core.

It has also won the allegiance of Penampang MP Darrell Leiking, who quit PKR on Wednesday to ally himself with Shafie. Leiking will bring with him crucial Kadazandusun Murut support.

“I think the ‘Sabah for Sabahan’ and ‘Sabah’s Rights’ agenda is drawing everyone back to local-based parties,” said Sabah Reform Party president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, a consistent Sabah rights activist.

Jeffrey, who helms the United Sabah Alliance front comprising STAR Parti Cinta Sabah and Sabah Progressive Party(SAPP), said they were open to cooperating with both Shafie and Leiking.

“USA is confident of our stand and we see them as potential partners...not adversaries,” he said when contacted by Malay Mail Online, adding that they will considering a seat sharing formula with Shafie’s yet-to-be named party.

Jeffrey, who is Bingkor assemblyman, is the only representative from a Sabah-based opposition who won in Election 2013

Gabungan Rakyat Saksama, a Sabah and Sarawak based coalition of seven local parties, had earlier this year indicated its intention to rival USA, but has yet to become a credible alternative.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee also expressed support for Shafie’s party, claiming that its struggle for state autonomy and recognition under the Malaysian Agreement 1963 were shared goals.

Shafie announced that he will take over an existing Sabah-based party, but declined to identify it beyond saying it was registered in 2013.

He added that it will be rebranded with a new logo and leadership.

Leiking and Sulabayan assemblyman Datuk Jaujan Sambakong accompanied Shafie to the Registrar of Societies in Putrajaya to submit the application.

Leiking announced his resignation from PKR shortly after, saying he was opting for a platform that was more focussed on Sabah and its issues.

It is believed he will likely serve as deputy president.

Another PKR assemblyman, Terrence Siambun, is also rumoured to be joining.