KOTA KINABALU – The political crisis at the federal level and social media grouses have challenged the stability of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition in Sabah more than opposition politicians, as it marks its first year in power today.
Political analyst Lee Kuok Tiung said the role of the opposition to keep tabs on the Sabah government has been overshadowed by problems raised by the Sabah people on social media.
“Compared with Warisan and other opposition parties, more matters seem to be raised by the people in Sabah via social media.
“It seems the role of checks and balances that should be played by opposition reps has been overtaken by the people.
“On the same note, the opposition are not the ones giving the GRS-led state government a tough time. The real risk is national politics.
“The unclear status of cooperation between Bersatu and Umno at the federal level could also put GRS’ hold on power in Sabah on shaky ground, despite a cooperation memorandum signed by the coalition earlier this year in January.
“Within GRS, there’s Umno and Bersatu as the dominant powers. But I believe Umno won’t give GRS any problems for now,” he said.
Despite Umno’s decision to end its cooperation with Perikatan Nasional and contest the next general election on its own, Lee said there appears to be a compromise between the two dominant national parties after the recent power shift.
“However, it is clear that there has been political stability in Sabah since GRS took over.”
Aside from Malaysia Agreement 1963 issues, Lee said opposition parties, such as Warisan, Upko, and those in the Pakatan Harapan coalition have been noticeably less active in questioning new policies set by GRS since it took over the state on September 29 last year.
GRS won the 16th Sabah election on September 26 last year but the formation of the new Sabah government began with the appointment of Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor as chief minister on September 28.
‘GRS neither a firm nor real coalition’
Another political analyst who wishes to remain anonymous said GRS faces a major problem as the inadvertently formed coalition remains unregistered even after one year.
“This means the cooperation has not been solidified by the Registrar of Societies and therefore remains a loose coalition.
“The memorandum of understanding signed by the GRS alliance, which comprised Bersatu, Umno, PBS, Sabah Star, SAPP, PBRS, MIC, MCA, PAS and others does not have an official commitment, making it vulnerable,” the analyst said.
The unofficial political alliance, the analyst said, could pose a problem for GRS in the future, as it is not an independent group, unlike Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), should any federal crisis arise.
Excess baggage
The analyst said non-assemblymen parties also appear to be latching on to GRS without contributing significantly to the alliance.
“They don’t seem to play any significant role and they don’t compliment GRS. For one, there used to be this saying that if you don’t have a seat, you don’t have a say.
“In terms of support, it still needs to prove whether it really has support on the ground.”
SAPP, he said as an example, did not win any seats in the state election and, therefore, has no specific role in GRS except to retort at the opposition.
SAPP only has one nominated assemblyman – former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.
PAS on the other hand, he said, does not sync with the other parties in GRS, with most of its statements appearing divisive for Sabahans, such as the “Muslim-only trolley” issue.
“I believe PAS needs to change its image. It has to be more liberal and in sync with local parties in Sabah.”
The same also applies with other pro-GRS parties, such as Usno Baru, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), MCA and MIC, which have yet to provide any significant contribution to GRS, he said.
Usno Baru does not have the political appeal of the old Usno under the leadership of the late Tun Mustapha Datu Harun, while LDP is still trying to gain ground after the state polls last year, he added.
As for MCA, he said there still have two politicians that are making inroads – Pamela Yong, who contested in Luyang, and dentist Dr Chan Ke Yee, who ran in Likas.
“I think they are doing quite well after the polls with their political moves.”
Old guns monopoly
Lee said there is also a need for GRS to cast young leaders into the fray.
The old guard, he said, is too dominant at present, and more chances should be given to the younger generation coming up in the political arena.
“This trend exists in all parties within GRS.
“However, in Umno, many young leaders were fielded during the election. But after they lose, nobody pays attention to them.” – The Vibes, September 29, 2021
