KUCHING: Overwhelming electoral support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan in the just concluded state elections does not necessarily mean it is because Sabahans dislike peninsula-based parties.
A senior Sarawak leader said it may very well mean that voters there had been observing what has been the political norm in Sarawak.
According to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information Chief, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the results of the recent Sabah state election clearly show that the people of Sabah prefer to be governed by local parties.
He explained that during the Sabah polls, both the pro-government and opposition blocs used Sarawak as an example or icon in their campaigns.
“That is why, to a certain extent, we in Sarawak were prevented from going there because who would we support? Both sides were supporting us,” he added.
He said the outcome of the Sabah election also shows that national parties had failed to win the hearts of the people.
“We hope national parties will see the signal sent. The people of Sabah are asking for their rights to be returned. Attend to that that,” he said.
On the formation of the new Sabah government, Abdul Karim said its strength depends on how Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor manages its composition.
“In my personal view, he has already formed a government, but we also see that a major party like Warisan is outside. That is my observation,” he said.
He added that it is up to Sabah’s leadership to determine future political cooperation.
“I am not urging them to merge or form a new coalition, but simply to observe this. Warisan represents about 25 per cent of the 73 seats, and in terms of popular votes, they received the highest percentage,” he said.
He said Sarawak’s stability lies in the strong cooperation under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which represents all ethnic groups.
“If they (Sabah) look at why we are so stable, it is because everyone is together under GPS… that is what makes this state more stable.
“If such a compromise does not exist, then in five years, they will constantly face disruption. It is unhealthy,” he said.
Abdul Karim added that Sabah’s political sentiment differs from Sarawak’s, and that urban voters in Sabah may have shifted their support because they feel DAP no longer champions their issues.
“Perhaps for urban voters in Sabah, they feel Warisan is the party capable of voicing their concerns,” he said.
In the Sabah election held on Nov 29, GRS won 29 seats, followed by Warisan (25), BN (6), Upko (3), Star (2), KDM (1), PN (1), PH (1) and five Independents. DAP lost all the eight seats it contested to Warisan.
