KOTA KINABALU: Recent comments from Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor regarding the collaboration between GRS and PH suggest that BN may be excluded from the ruling party’s cooperative efforts.
If PH is set to maintain its partnership with GRS in preparation for the upcoming PRN, could this indicate a potential shift away from BN in favour of GRS?
Political analyst and social activist Dr Kanul Gindol believes that the Sabah PRN represents a significant political risk for all involved parties.
“My interpretation is that PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim might prioritise addressing GRS first, given that BN and PH have a strong alliance at the federal level.
“In fact, PH, or Anwar, is urging GRS to collaborate, particularly regarding seat allocations, as PH is known to advocate for a larger share, including through Upko.
“If GRS agrees to accommodate PH by allowing space for PH (including DAP, PKR, and Upko), the influence of BN may not significantly hinder PH’s prospects, especially if GRS parties back PH candidates in non-Muslim regions,” he said when contacted for his view.
Hajiji was earlier reported as minimising discussions about Barisan Nasional (BN) potentially collaborating with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the state elections, emphasising that the ultimate choice lies with the ruling coalition, which includes Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and PH.
Hajiji asserted that the GRS-PH Plus government has the authority to select its political partners for the upcoming elections.
According to Kanul, if Anwar’s strategy succeeds with GRS, he might find it easier to persuade Hajiji, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (president of Star), Dr Joachim Gunsalam (acting president of PBS), Datuk Yong Teck Lee (president of SAPP), and other GRS leaders to bring BN into a coalition of GRS+PH+BN.
“However, this is merely my perspective. I believe that if GRS opts not to collaborate with PH, which I doubt will happen, given that half of GRS prefers to have only Sabah parties contest all 73 seats, Anwar can always rely on his own support base, particularly with DAP and UPKO diligently working to secure their positions.
“It is important to highlight that in this PRN, PH cannot depend exclusively on Chinese votes for victory, as many Chinese voters are inclined to support another party, Warisan,” Kanul noted.
