KOTA KINABALU – Sabah could see only heavyweights vying for seats in the 15th general election (GE15), in stark contrast to what transpired during past elections when votes were split due to multi-cornered fights by contenders small and big.
The word going around in political circles is that many of the stand-alone parties, which are not part of any major coalitions, may steer clear of a showdown between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Warisan.
While Warisan has made no secret of its plan to contest in all 25 parliamentary seats in the state, including the one in Labuan, the GRS and BN coalitions have yet to formalise an electoral pact.
GRS also had five parties applying to join its fold.
Although it is too early to confirm, a check by The Vibes revealed that parties like Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan), and Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri have decided to stay out of the race.
PCS led by former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Harapan led by Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah have been reported by local media as not likely to field any candidates.
Anak Negeri president Datuk Henrynus Amin confirmed with The Vibes that the party will not be contesting any seat in the upcoming federal polls.
The three parties are among five political outfits that have applied to be part of the GRS coalition that presently rules Sabah in partnership with BN.
However, there is still talk that PCS is eyeing the Kimanis seat, which was last won by BN in a by-election held in 2020.
Interestingly, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), which also applied to be part of GRS, has not shown any sign that it will stay away from the election.
KDM, which is led by the troubled Kadazan Dusun Murut leader Datuk Peter Anthony, has been rumoured to be eyeing Tenom. The seat was won by DAP in the last general election in May 2018.
It is understood that Anthony wields strong influence among the local communities in the rural constituency.
KDM could also be eyeing Kota Marudu if reports of Bersatu man Datuk Wetrom Bahanda, who is state assemblyman for Bandau, joining Anthony’s party are true.
Like Anthony, Wetrom commands significant support from Kota Marudu folk. He is expected to face off against PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, who won the seat in the last election with a razor-thin 45-vote majority.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Datuk Chin Su Phin, when contacted, said the party will not be contesting in the election. It is understood that LDP has also applied to join GRS.
Hajiji could avert clashes
Meanwhile, GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, who is Sabah’s chief minister, could further avert multi-cornered fights with friendly parties if he decides to announce the inclusion of the five parties into GRS before the election.
Sources close to the party said Hajiji has already agreed to accept these parties and is now waiting for the right time to announce it.
“The best time (to announce the parties’ inclusion) would be when GRS and BN decide to formalise their cooperation soon and announce their seats (to contest),” the source said.
Sabah political observers, however, believe there would not be enough seats to go around for GRS if the distribution is based on a 50:50 ratio between the two coalitions.
GRS comprises Bersatu, SAPP, Sabah Star, PBS and Usno, while BN in Sabah consists of Umno, MCA, MIC and PBRS.
The Vibes had earlier reported that the distribution agreement would be 13 seats for GRS and 12 for BN.
If accepted into GRS, new parties in the coalition would be given a very small share of seats.
Political analyst Lee Kuok Tiung told The Vibes that these parties are too small to go independent. He believes that they would likely stay away from the election and support GRS.
“While there are no terms and conditions set by GRS for the parties to enter the group, even if GRS chairman Hajiji wants to field any candidates, they will be direct candidates,” said Lee.
It should be noted that while GRS operates as a coalition, it is registered as a single party. Thus, individuals can join and be nominated by it directly for the election – without formal involvement of their respective parties.
He added that there are few leaders in these parties who have significant political strength.
He cited Anthony and Wetrom as probable direct candidates for GRS.
Still, Lee said, the parties which have committed to join GRS could be rewarded in other ways such as in the form of positions and senatorships after the polls.
Another political analyst, Tony Paridi Bagang also believes that the small parties will not enter the race, except for party leaders with influence like KDM’s Anthony.
He said these parties could be seen as more suited for state seats.
“Nonetheless for KDM, there are possibilities, taking into account that they are very active in organising programmes such as in Tenom,” said Bagang.
He maintained that most of the parties will stay away from GE15. – The Vibes, October 20, 2022
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