KOTA KINABALU: After narrowly losing in the 2020 state election, despite winning the most seats, Warisan, which is contesting solo, is expected to pose a strong challenge to the ruling party, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), in the upcoming state election.
Many political observers believe that Warisan possesses a holistic strength and a robust election machinery to challenge GRS or BN-PH in the 17th state election.
However, many are wondering whether the local Warisan party led by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal can rise again like Donald J. Trump, who returned to the hot seat of the President of the United States after losing in the previous presidential election.
Social activist Gundohing Salman Nurillah believes that nothing is impossible in the political arena.
“Anything can happen in politics.” Based on my observation, Although Warisan is now in the opposition bloc at the state level, public support for this party remains strong.
“And if the people’s complaints about issues like water, electricity, and roads are taken as an indication, I believe local parties like Warisan should not be underestimated in the state election,” he said.
Salman said that Warisan, which governed the state for two years previously, is still seen as one of the best choices to take the helm of the Sabah government.
He said that among the legacies of Warisan’s success is the enhancement of the land grant programme for eligible villagers and the introduction of a sales tax on oil and gas products in Sabah.
He said there are many factors or advantages that are seen to give an edge to Warisan in facing the state election.
“I see that Warisan has also fought for MA63 by bringing a constitutional amendment proposal to recognise the equal status of the Malaya territories, Sarawak and Sabah, even though the bills ultimately failed to be passed in Parliament.”
“What is certain is that Warisan emerged as the first local Sabah party to successfully bring that amendment motion to Parliament through the late Datuk VK Liew,” he said.
For Salman, the two-year governing period is too short to realise the direction and development agenda of the state of Sabah.
According to him, in addition to resolving the MA63-related issues that have yet to be fulfilled by the federal government, Warisan has also expressed its determination to address the long-standing water supply problems faced by the people of this state.
It is also understood that Warisan intends to address the issue of electricity supply disruptions and subsequently try to find
a solution to the road problems, he said.
According to Salman, based on the statements of Warisan leaders, the local party also emphasises efforts to create more job opportunities for the youth by opening factories related to Sabah’s natural resources.
“I see that Warisan is also setting targets to intensify efforts to prevent financial leaks by emphasising the dangers of corruption, in addition to ensuring that the state of Sabah is governed by a local party without the influence of Malaya,” he said.
However, Salman said that the mission and vision could only be realised if Shafie Apdal or Warisan were given a full mandate by the people of Sabah in the 17th state election.
He said it is not something easy to achieve because Warisan has to face all the strength of the ruling party’s election machinery, GRS, and also the combined force of PH-BN.
