Sabah MPs ‘bullish’ about BN win

COMMENT Sabah Barisan Nasional is banking on early polls to take advantage of the opposition’s seeming disarray.

BN chairman-cum-Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak met BN parliamentarians individually in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to gauge their private views on the suitable election date.

“This is to make an impression on BN MPs that they have a say in the polls timing and that the PM is hands-on and appreciative of their input and efforts,” said an insider.

Most Sabah BN MPs are bullish about their chances given the general impression that the Pakatan Rakyat is without strong direction and unified leadership that can command confidence among the electorate.

“However, slackers and those with unfavourable report cards with disdainful Special Branch feedback of their career prospect can be expected to be dropped like garbage as the PM wants only the most desirable choice prospect in the eyes of the electorates,” revealed a source.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), the local opposition group, has been subdued since its Batu Sapi fiasco when it emerged as the weakest of the three contestants – BN, PKR and SAPP – following the defeat of its strongman and president Yong Teck Lee.

The other local “mosquito” parties like Bersekutu and Bersih, suspected to be Trojan horses of the federal authorities, are expected to act as lightning rods for rural discontent.

Jeffrey Kitingan’s resignation from PKR and his formation of the United Borneo Front (UBF) are seen as a welcome move that will give BN an advantage by splitting the opposition vote bank two or three ways.

Disillusioned Sabahans

BN insiders fear that given more time to recover, SAPP, Pakatan Rakyat and UBF may work out a deal after settling their internal dissonance.

Given the electorate disenchantment with the continuous squabbles within the rank and file in the opposition parties, some may just refuse to come out and cast their votes.

If that happens as was the case of Batu Sapi, where the opposition failed to field a sole candidate to take on the BN in a one-to-one showdown, many will not come out to caste their vote. This will be to BN’s benefit.

Many voters in Sabah at this point in time are privately disillusioned with the failure of local opposition figures to work for the people’s interest.

Any failure to come to a consensus on a unified showdown against the BN in a straight fight scenario is just what the BN and Najib see as the interest dividend payout from their Sabah fixed deposit.

If Najib listens to views from his Sabah “early bird” representatives that the opposition is unprepared, then the 13th general election could be nearer perhaps during the first school holidays immediately after Chinese New Year.

Having said this, all eyes are on Sarawak and Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s next move. - FMT