PETALING JAYA: An analyst has described Warisan’s decision to go solo at the Sabah state election as a bold and ambitious attempt to recreate the success of the local parties that governed the state from the 1970s to the early 1990s.
Referring to the administrations of Berjaya and Parti Bersatu Sabah, Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah suggested that Warisan, led by Shafie Apdal, believed it could form a single-party government without any political alliances.
However, Bilcher said that Warisan would face significant challenges, particularly from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), a coalition of eight local parties that currently holds power in the state.
“GRS has the advantage in terms of resources and broader support,” he told FMT, adding that Warisan would likely face stiff competition from Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat as well.
He nevertheless said that Warisan continued to enjoy significant support, largely due to its approach of representing all ethnic communities in Sabah.
He pointed to Warisan’s success in the 2020 state election, where it won 23 seats – the most by any single party – before defections reduced its tally to 14, with most of its remaining strongholds concentrated along Sabah’s east coast.
Shafie announced last Saturday that Warisan would contest the upcoming Sabah election solo, dismissing speculation about electoral pacts with other parties.
National Professors Council fellow Azmi Hassan said it would be difficult for Warisan to form a government without alliances.
He said Warisan might still be considering an alliance with Umno and Barisan Nasional as its best bet for a return to power.
“They may have already discussed it but have yet to reach an agreement, especially on seat allocations,” he said.
The Sabah government has until October before the state assembly must be dissolved to make way for fresh elections.
