By Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: In political linguistics, a “plague ship” refers to a group of ships that has lost its bearings and purpose in the political landscape.
As the Sabah State Election approaches, this adage appears to be a reality; the uncertain fog has lifted, and the wind of change is upon us. A new ending is often a new beginning in disguise.
Recently, Warisan has gained 1,167 new individual members and established 20 new branches in Tuaran and Petagas. The Warisan President stated that Sabah will only be strong if we unite under one umbrella.
The Sabah state election has 73 available seats, and a political party or coalition needs at least 37 seats to achieve a simple majority and form a government. Political analysts and observers realistically believe that Warisan is likely to win at least 30 seats.
The remaining seats will likely be filled through coalitions among independents and smaller political parties. Their participation in forming the State Government is crucial to ensure their concerns are voiced in the August house.
National parties, such as those in the Pakatan Harapan coalition, may face significant challenges in participating effectively in the state election.
There are also theories suggesting that more defections are likely in the coming weeks. Why are senior members leaving PBS and USNO to join the Warisan camp? The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is plagued by inconsistency and corruption in its administration.
“It has become a plague ship with no ports willing to accept it, so it will sail aimlessly in the ocean until it sinks.”
The GRS government could not sustain itself any longer, especially as a larger budget for cyber-troopers attempts to mask their inadequacies.
The repercussions of their disastrous actions cannot be overlooked. The rise of revolutions in Indonesia and Nepal inspires youth who seek to end corrupt practices in government. Enough is enough.
An analyst advises the Warisan party to be cautious about allowing new members to join.
The new state government needs to establish a system that ensures good governance and prevents corrupt practices, not continue the old practice. There should be no compromises on this matter.
Once in power, Sabah must play catch-up with Sarawak to reclaim its rights under the Malaysia Agreement. Sabah needs a strong government with a larger mandate and, importantly, dedicated individuals to rebuild the state. Can this happen in our lifetime?
