Kota Kinabalu: Warisan will benefit more than Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) if the two parties work together in the next general election (GE15), say analysts.
Lee Kuok Tiung of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said Warisan “has more to gain” if the collaboration works out as the party could attract more votes from the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Rungus (KDMR) communities.
However, he said PBS could receive a “big blow” if it cooperated with Warisan because of its vocal rejection of Warisan’s earlier proposal to grant illegal immigrants a Sabah temporary pass (PSS).
He noted that PBS had previously been very vocal against other related issues as well, such as illegal immigrants and the “IC Project”.
“It could lose the trust of its staunch supporters,” he added.
Lee also said that it was “unclear” as to how the two parties could work together as PBS is currently still tied to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
“PBS is focused on GRS. If PBS’ relationship with GRS is affected, it will also affect GRS’ chances of working with Barisan Nasional in the next elections,” he said.
Warisan president Shafie Apdal has repeatedly expressed interest in working with PBS as he considers the party’s ideals to be in line with that of Warisan.
PBS president Maximus Ongkili, meanwhile, has also said the party is ready to work with any party, including Warisan, if it benefits Sabahans.
The Kota Marudu MP had also previously said that PBS would only announce the parties that it would cooperate with when the time was right. This was despite the party already being an official member of GRS.
However, a few days later, Ongkili insisted that PBS would remain with GRS, which consists of Bersatu, STAR, SAPP and Usno.
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Warisan’s hopes of cooperating with PBS showed that the party wanted to partner with others in the upcoming elections, especially at the state level.
“They (Warisan) may face the risk of losing more seats if they go into GE15 alone because they are facing GRS with BN,” he said.
