Federal ‘arrogance’ could tilt support to Sabah parties, says analyst

 As PH and BN are perceived as “outsiders”, the insistence of their national leaders on calling the shots may not go down well with Sabahans.

A political analyst says “top-down” decision making by national leaders of PH and BN will cost them the support of Sabah voters.

PETALING JAYA:

 Voters in Sabah could be pushed towards supporting local parties because of the perceived intervention of Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional’s national leaders in the Sabah state elections, according to a political analyst.

Academy of Sciences Malaysia fellow Jayum Jawan said PH and BN were both perceived as “outsiders” in the eyes of Sabah’s voters.

He said the insistence of national party leaders in Kuala Lumpur to make the final call on the direction of their Sabah chapters would not augur well for the two coalitions, as BN and PH would seem to be arrogant and dismissive of local voices.

“Their insistence on taking the lead can be seen as an attempt to dominate local politics. This would not endear them to the local Sabahan voters,” he told FMT.

Jayum added that this kind of top-down decision-making will lose them the support of Sabahan voters.

‘Viewed with suspicion’

Jayum Jawan.

He also said national leaders in PKR, DAP, and Amanah were being increasingly viewed with suspicion in Sabah, especially when they appear to be making decisions on behalf of Sabahans.

He added that some of the same politicians in Kuala Lumpur that were displaying arrogance were perceived as fueling racial and religious tensions back in West Malaysia.

“That doesn’t sit well with Sabahans. Here, people live side by side. Christians, Muslims, animists; they don’t want that harmony disrupted by outsiders.

“There is already deep resentment over the way Malayan leaders have handled the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and other state-level issues,” he said, adding that key issues involving the agreement remain unresolved and continue to stir emotions.

Yesterday, the unity government coalition secretariat announced that PH and BN have agreed to work together for the Sabah polls, following a meeting between their chairmen, Anwar Ibrahim and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

While seat talks and possible negotiations with other parties would be handled by both the PH and BN leadership in Sabah, the secretariat said the final decision would be made by the national leadership.

GRS in good position, better off solo

Jayum said BN and PH could find they have made a costly miscalculation in leaving the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah out of the equation.

Hajiji Noor.

He said GRS, led by Hajiji Noor and composed of eight Sabah-based parties, has developed strong appeal, even though it is relatively young, particularly because it was not tied to peninsula-based political agendas.

“GRS is in a good position right now,” he said. “They can compete with other local parties like Warisan for Sabahan support without being seen as part of the peninsula’s political game.”

He also believed that chief minister Hajiji’s GRS would be better off contesting the state polls on its own. “Local-based and Sabahan parties will be more acceptable to local voters. This is a strong pulling point and will give their rivals a run for their money.”

Hajiji had said GRS was ready to go solo in the state polls if PH and BN’s decision to join forces was final. The chief minister said GRS consistently held that Sabah parties should lead the state government as they better understood the realities, cultures and needs of Sabahans. - FMT