Unity govt idea a tough sell in Sabah, say analysts

KOTA KINABALU: With a crowded field contesting the coming Sabah elections, a political analyst says a unity government might be needed if no party wins an outright majority — but politicians will not see eye-to-eye on the idea.

Political scientist Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said: “The unity government concept should be considered but this needs the agreement of all parties. It will not be easy to form, because each party will hold on to positions that are important, strategic and influential.”

He said the idea of a unity government was not well received in Peninsular Malaysia when mooted by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in February, as the proposal was seen to benefit only Mahathir.

“It’s clear that the Sabahan people and even in the Peninsula are unprepared for such a concept, so long as the political attitude and motive of its own proposer are doubted by the people,” he said.

Awang Azman Pawi

Political observers in Sabah expect a tight contest between the Warisan Plus coalition and the opposition, made up of PPBM and its Perikatan Nasional allies of Umno, PBS, STAR.

Other independent parties, including Parti Cinta Sabah and the Liberal Democratic Party, are also expected to join the fray.

Another analyst, Romzi Ationg of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said a unity government would be difficult to implement in Sabah.

“Every party wants to be in power and focus on their own interest,” he said. “A thin majority is not a problem as long as no politician crosses to other parties.”

The proposal for a unity government was last raised in February, after Mahathir had resigned as prime minister. He tried to form a new government free of partisan politics but the DAP rejected the idea because it meant that Mahathir could decide on the composition of the federal Cabinet without consulting any party. - FMT