KOTA KINABALU – Despite federal backing, victory for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the forthcoming Bugaya and Batu Sapi by-elections will not come easy.
Sources within the GRS alliance said there remains strong grassroots support for Warisan leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, a result of what they call the “Shafie factor”.
A Sabah Bersatu leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Vibes that the grip Shafie has on voters in Bugaya has left his party in a deadlock over who best to place there as its candidate.
“A couple of names have been proposed – former Bugaya assemblyman Datuk Ramlee Marahaban and also state election candidate Mohd Daud Tampokong.
“However, Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor may choose Ramlee, as Daud lost badly to the incumbent, Manis Muka Mohd Darah (in the state polls),” the source said.
It is learnt that most GRS component parties have opted not to contest the two by-elections due to the ongoing pandemic, leaving it likely that Bersatu will go it alone in both polls.
GRS comprises Sabah Star, led by Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, led by Tan Sri Joseph Kurup; Sabah Umno, led by Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin; and, Hajiji, who is also Sabah Bersatu head.
Manis Muka defeated Daud with a 6,005-vote majority in the state election on September 26.
Bugaya fell vacant after Manis Muka's death on November 17, paving the way for a by-election in the constituency, which the Election Commission has set for January 16 next year.
Meanwhile, the source said while Hajiji has approached Ramlee to contest the state seat, the latter declined, as he is believed to be eyeing a parliamentary seat in the 15th general election.
“Anyway, it is too early to predict as Hajiji and Ramlee may come to a consensus over the matter,” the source said.
There are 20,267 voters in the Bugaya state constituency under the Semporna parliamentary seat, with a majority being Bumiputera-Muslim voters at 95.8%, non-Muslim Bumiputera (3%), Chinese (1%) and others (0.2%).
Another source, however, said there still remains the possibility that the Bugaya by-election, to be held simultaneously with the Grik polls in Perak, will be postponed due to the pandemic.
He said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin may seek to declare a state of emergency for Bugaya and Batu Sapi from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
'Musa Aman effect'
In Batu Sapi, meanwhile, support for local outfit Warisan has not waned since the passing of its MP, former Pakatan Harapan de facto law minister Datuk Seri Liew Vui Keong on October 2.
A source said much of their rejection of the GRS alliance revolves around political developments in Sabah earlier this year.
“Their rejection of GRS comes largely from their resentment over what happened in July, during the political crisis initiated by former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman that lead to the state election in September.
“They say Musa was impatient and wanted to topple the Warisan-led Sabah government, indirectly worsening the Covid-19 situation in the country after the polls resulted in a spike,” said the source.
In July, Musa, who is also Sibuga assemblyman, said he had garnered the support of 32 state assemblymen, enough to take over the state government.
Instead of handing over power, Shafie, who was then Sabah chief minister, dissolved the State Legislative Assembly on July 30, paving the way for the Sabah polls.
There are 32,574 voters in Batu Sapi, with Bumiputera making up most of them (39%) followed by Malay-Muslims (20%) Chinese (31%) and others (10%).
Meanwhile, when asked about its by-election preparations, Warisan said it has yet to decide on any candidates. – The Vibes, December 2, 2020
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