KOTA KINABALU – It is time for Malaysians to get a taste of Sabah’s brand of politics as Warisan supporters are backing the party’s expansion into the peninsula.
Matthew Yong, one of the party’s election observers, told The Vibes that peninsular voters need a third force to counter the politics put forth by national parties such as Umno, Bersatu and PAS.
He said the three parties only champion one race, and it is the same with the other parties such as MIC and MCA.
“It is the right time for a Sabah-based party to spread its wings to Malaya. The voters there appear to have lost their trust in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who leads Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“Some say PH lost its integrity as the opposition and as a check-and-balance for the government when it signed the memorandum.
“PH can no longer provide the aspiration for a better Malaysia, unlike during the time leading to GE14 (the 14th general election) in 2018,” said Yong, adding that this is evident in PH’s dismal performance in the Melaka and Sarawak polls.
In Melaka, PKR lost all its seats while DAP seats were reduced to only four from eight, and Amanah only won one seat.
In Sarawak, PKR failed to win any seats and DAP only secured two seats.
Although issues of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the rights of Sabah and Sarawak may not gain traction in the peninsula, many believe the multiracial concept could bring about a change to the political scene there.
“Warisan gives the opposition’s supporters the options they need under the unity concept.
“The inclusion of former DAP members such as Bryan Lai (Teratai assemblyman), Jeff Ooi (former Jelutong MP) and (Datuk) Danny Law is evidence that a Sabahan party is very much accepted and welcomed by the Malayan people and leaders, unlike PBS (Parti Bersatu Sabah) during those days.”
Yong said it may be too early for Warisan to contest in the Johor election, and although there have been requests for it to do so, Warisan should just assist allies Muda and Pejuang.
He added that Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is a national leader, given his 32 years of experience in the federal cabinet.
He said there is nothing wrong for a Sabah-based party to contest in Peninsular Malaysia, given that Umno, which is from Johor, is able to contest all over Malaysia, excluding Sarawak.
Jo Nandu, a pro-Warisan activist, also supports Yong’s views, saying it is time for the tables to turn for the peninsula-based parties that have set foot in Sabah.
“Besides, giving our votes to the national parties like Umno and others, Sabahans are already disappointed in them and the trend must end now.”
Nandu said Sabahans are generally fed up with peninsula-based parties, citing how PBS was bullied by them in the 1990s.
The fall of the PBS government in the early 1990s, among others was the result of defection and political buyout of PBS assemblymen, causing the party to lose its majority.
“I think I can say on behalf of my generation that we are absolutely sick and tired of the same epilogue of political drama repeating itself over and over,” said Nandu, adding that he believed the party formed by defections from PBS were meant to split votes.
Nandu did not name the parties but was clearly referring to Sabah Progressive Party, Sabah Democratic Party (now United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation) and the component parties in Barisan Nasional.
“In other words, just a ‘dummy party’ to serve the purpose of the dominating party at that time.
Almost all other political parties today have lost their original purpose – why they were created, who they were supposed to serve, and which interests they should protect.”
Nandu said the expansion of Warisan to the peninsula is to counter the ideals of Umno and Barisan Nasional that ride on racial and religious cards to gain political traction.
“This tactic has become a cancer in Malaysian society. It has plagued us and our minds that other races are always to be blamed for all the wrongs in the world.
“This is the mentality that divides us...their ideologies are now stuck in our mind, our children in our education system and in our daily ethos.”
Meanwhile, Warisan division member Aida Wasli said the expansion of the party was decided by the top leadership and members should respect this.
Warisan offers unity and harmony. I don’t see anything wrong with these values. Actually, It will bring more good to our friends in Peninsular Malaysia,” she said.
Aida said it is only fair for Warisan to be allowed to expand to Peninsular Malaysia as most Malayan parties are already in Sabah.
As for Warisan’s plans to contest in the coming Johor election, Aida said it is not a matter of winning or losing.
She said Warisan could start promoting the brand of politics it wants to offer to Malaysians.
Aida also believes those who recently defected do not have principles in life and are without integrity.
“Joining and leaving parties is a normal thing. The recent defections in Warisan only involve a small group of those who are also members of KDM Malaysia, the NGO led by former vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony.” – The Vibes, January 27, 2022
