By Political Analyst Mohd Ustar Abdul Ghani
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Peter Anthony and Juil Nuatim’s departure from Warisan yesterday sent political shock wave across Sabah.
Known as Warisan’s stalwart and a close ally of Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Anthony announced his departure one week ahead of impending court case scheduled on the 4th January 2022.
His departure followed earlier departures of Sindumin and Lahad Datu Warisan’s lawmakers.
Whether premeditated, an afterthought or simply a conscienced political contemplation, Anthony’s excuse to leave the party is seen by many as a fallacy.
Warisan’s 17th December launching of a more dynamic political participation in Semenanjung cited by Anthony as a deviation of Warisan’s political mantra, “Sabah for Sabahans” and drifting upon its purpose as a Sabah base party is rather absurd and contentious.
His equation on the recently concluded Sarawak state election is flawed. It ought to be contemplated that Sarawak based party – GPS won 76 seats out of the 82 contested (almost a clean sweep) a political gesticulation that Sarawakians do not allow national political parties to meddle in its political affairs.
Warisan is still very much a local based party notwithstanding its intention to dilate its pinion across Malaysia.
Anthony’s contemplation of a new political party genial to GRS is conflicting and somewhat a clash of his political ingenuity. While questioning Warisan’s political manoeuvre and intrusion to Semenanjung, one could not help but questions his desire to conjoin with GRS, a coalition of parties superintended by national parties outside Sabah.
There remains a question of serving the KDM’s interest and as if PBS, PBRS and STAR have not inflicted serious division amongst the KDM.
This is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests. In recent times Warisan have taken a serious blow coming to the next general election.
Loyalty is demanded in its tenacity to win back what is lost in betrayal. Whether a comeuppance or a blessing in disguise, we shall know the impending consequences in the next general election or earlier.
Whoever wins this political tug of war, Sabahans fervently hope that we will rise out of the ashes and chart our political destiny as did our Borneon neighbour, Sarawak.
