POLITICAL analysts have cautioned that Sabah’s Parti Warisan is unlikely to gain traction in Peninsular Malaysia, citing deep-seated regional political sentiment that continues to favour locally rooted leaders in the peninsula.
Prof James Chin of Tasmania University and Dr Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara told The Vibes that voter behaviour in Peninsular Malaysia remains “Malaya-centric,” posing significant hurdles for East Malaysian parties seeking national relevance.
“If Warisan contests in the peninsula, all will lose,” said Prof Chin.
“West Malaysians cannot accept political leaders from Sabah and Sarawak… the bottom line is Malaysians in the peninsula are not ready to see national leaders from East Malaysia.”
He recalled Warisan’s previous attempt to contest in the peninsula, including fielding a former MCA heavyweight, which ended in a decisive defeat.
Both analysts also challenged claims that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) is in decline in Sabah and Sarawak.
Prof Chin argued that the party’s recent setbacks were driven primarily by rising anti-Malaya sentiment, rather than an erosion of organisational strength or popular support.
“Don’t buy the narrative that DAP is dying in Sabah and Sarawak. They lost because of huge anti-Malaya sentiment,” he said, noting that some younger DAP leaders in East Malaysia are already considering a local reconstitution if these sentiments persist.
“Maybe in the future… the DAP in Sabah and Sarawak may have to reconstitute into a local-based party. Don’t write off DAP yet.”
Dr Azmi highlighted key differences in voter behaviour between Sabah and the peninsula, particularly among Chinese communities.
“Sabah Chinese voters can freely choose between local and national parties, supporting Warisan in one election and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in another without hesitation or guilt. But to say that scenario can be brought to the peninsula is totally different,” he said.
Chinese voters in Peninsular Malaysia traditionally support DAP and, to a lesser extent, MCA and Gerakan — parties perceived as entrenched in the national political landscape. “Chinese voters in Malaya don’t see Warisan as an alternative.
They see Warisan as a party from Borneo.” He warned that attempting to rely on Chinese voters to fuel Warisan’s federal ambitions would be a “bad move.”
The analysts agreed that while voters in both East and West Malaysia increasingly desire locally anchored political parties, this trend works against Warisan’s strategy to expand beyond Sabah.
“If Sabahans want local parties to thrive, it is similar in Malaya,” Dr Azmi said. “They want local parties to thrive there too.” - December 10, 2025
