Sabahan sentiments changed Warisan’s BN tie-up plan, says analyst

 

Warisan president Shafie Apdal announced last December that his party and Sabah Umno would cooperate for the state polls to take on Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.

PETALING JAYA: 

A political analyst believes Sabahan sentiments favouring local parties over national groups is one reason why Warisan has shifted away from a tie-up with Barisan Nasional (BN) for the next state polls.

Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said local sentiments could even drive Warisan to go solo in the state election, to avoid any remote ties to national parties or coalitions.

He said this would benefit Warisan as it could contest more seats than if it were to partner with BN or other parties.

“Initially, Warisan thought of working with Sabah Umno. However, (Sabah Umno) was bound by its federal leadership and its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan despite the state chapter having its own plans, given its autonomy,” he told FMT.

At his party’s general assembly in December 2023, Shafie Apdal announced that Warisan and Sabah Umno would cooperate in the state polls to take on the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition.

The Warisan president said Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin, who was present at the assembly, had already agreed to the partnership.

However, BN deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan later said the coalition’s federal leadership would decide on Sabah BN’s alliances for the state polls.

On Monday, Warisan information chief Azis Jamman said the party would not form an alliance with national parties for the state polls, only partnerships with local parties.

He also said Warisan would go solo in the state election if no local parties were courageous enough to not be subservient to national entities.

However, Tony Paridi Bagang of Universiti Teknologi Mara Sabah said Warisan might consider going on its own to test its level of acceptance among Sabahans.

He said whether it performed well alone would depend on several factors, including the other parties set to contest.

“We have to see about the political alliances that are forged, the people’s sentiments, the candidates fielded, and the young voters.” - FMT