KOTA KINABALU – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s claim that he has the numbers to wrest federal power may prove favourable to the Warisan Plus alliance in the Sabah elections this weekend, said political analysts.
Universiti Teknologi Mara Sabah’s Mohammed Raheezal Shah Abdul Karim said yet another power shift in Putrajaya could see voters rethinking their decision on which pact should form the next state government.
Many believe that the state administration should be aligned with the federal government to more easily get assistance and the best deals, he told The Vibes.
“But this is not the first time Anwar has done such things. Sabahan voters will be more careful this time.
“But generally, Sabahans want the (state) government to be aligned with Putrajaya.”
In the event that the PKR president’s claim proves true, the “BN-PN-PBS camp will start to lose ideas for their campaign talk. They have been using this to win over voters in the state”, he said, referring to Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah.
Anwar, at a special press conference earlier today, said he has majority support in Parliament, and that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration “has collapsed”.
He has sought an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who is currently hospitalised at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
Warisan Plus comprises Parti Warisan Sabah, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation, DAP, PKR and Amanah, while BN in Sabah consists of MCA, Umno and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah. PN, meanwhile, counts Sabah Bersatu, Sabah Star and Sabah Progressive Party as members in the state.
Some 1.12 millions Sabahans are eligible to vote on Saturday.
The Warisan Plus camp led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has an advantage in the polls, owing to a crowded field and the BN-PN front in disarray due to seat clashes in at least 17 constituencies.
Political observer Lawrence Justin said even without Anwar’s claim, Warisan could still benefit from split votes.
“There are just too many multi-cornered fights, and the votes will be split. Despite Sabah Star and PBS having resolved two seats, there are still candidates from the same team contesting against one another.”
Universiti Malaysia Sabah analyst Lee Kuok Tiung said there is no clear winner three days to the elections.
“I still see a 50:50 chance,” he said, adding that standalone parties should not be discounted.
“Parti Cinta Sabah, led by former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, is making headlines compared to other independent parties like the Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri and United Sabah National Organisation.”
UiTM lecturer Tony Paridi Bagang said the announcement was calculated for its shock value and it will be to Warisan Plus' advantage.
He said it may see allegiances being switched around at the national level.
“It is possible that we will see more negotiations between Anwar and Muhyiddin too, now that friction between PN and BN, which had started before the state polls, has just intensified with the battle to win more seats to name the chief minister,” he said. – The Vibes, September 23, 2020
* Additional reporting by Neil Chan
