PPBM the natural choice for Sabah Umno leaders, say analysts

Umno elected representatives in Sabah are more likely to cross over to PPBM, say analysts.

PETALING JAYA: The Umno elected representatives in Sabah who quit the party recently are more likely to join PPBM than Warisan, says a former top Umno politician in the state.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said it is “emotionally less painful” to join PPBM, as it is a Bumiputera party that those from Umno are more comfortable with.

There have been fears from Warisan leaders that PPBM could form its Sabah chapter through the 30 Umno leaders who quit the party on Wednesday.

The move has fuelled speculation of PPBM entering Sabah, having launched its chapter in neighbouring Sarawak.

Warisan is currently in a coalition government with Pakatan Harapan parties, PKR and DAP, in Sabah.

The former leader said rumours that Warisan was involved in giving Filipino immigrants citizenship, supposedly to tip the balance of political power in favour of the Bajau Suluk community, has made the Umno leaders “uncomfortable”.

“Sabahans are not racial by nature but they have not forgotten the marginalisation of the Kadazan Dusun Murut community during the chief ministership of Tun Mustapha, a Suluk,” he said, referring to the late Mustapha Harun.

“This unnerves many Umno leaders who left the party,” he added.

Meanwhile, analyst Tony Paridi Bagang from UiTM Sabah says it is just a matter of time before PPBM sets foot in Sabah.

He said PPBM is the natural choice for former Umno leaders as the party has a strong position at the federal level.

“There is no doubt that in Sabah politics, the federal factor is very significant in its political dynamics.”

He said that PPBM’s presence in Sabah meant a return to a “vicious old circle” where national parties play a dominant role in state politics.

Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi, too, said former Umno leaders would opt for PPBM.

He said the party was similar to Umno, with Malays and Islam at the centre of its ideology.

“In Sabah, the Muslim Bumiputera agenda looks more prominent with PPBM as they will want the Muslim Bumiputera to be in power, while in Warisan other races may dominate after the era of its president, Shafie Apdal has passed,” he said.

He said PPBM’s presence in Sabah was a “big threat” to Warisan as it would draw Bumiputeras to the party.

“Warisan will be the biggest loser if PPBM goes to Sabah, as it will impact its dominance in the state government.” -FMT