Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s recent statement that GRS had turned down his numerous requests to discuss a potential alliance confirmed the wish of coalition chairman Hajiji Noor to carry on with its current partner, Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Bilcher pointed out that GRS had also snubbed Perikatan Nasional and Pejuang to maintain the stability of the GRS-PH alliance.
“It seems like GRS is not interested in working with any opposition parties on both the federal and local levels,” he told FMT.
Shafie earlier hinted that he was open to a political collaboration with GRS to create a united Sabah front for the elections due later this year.
However, GRS had rejected several of his approaches, said Shafie, a former chief minister.
Bilcher said that the decision to spurn Warisan and the other opposition parties in the state had nothing to do with ideological differences but was about forging closer ties with PH, which is at the helm of the federal government.
“GRS must maintain its ties with the federal government. Sabah works differently from a state ruled by the opposition, such as Kelantan,” he said, referring to Sabah’s preference of aligning itself with the ruling federal government.
Bilcher, however, said that an alliance between GRS and Warisan could create greater political stability and amplify Sabah’s efforts in asserting its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Separately, Bilcher’s colleague, Lee Kuok Tiung suggested that past Warisan attempts to topple the GRS leadership, and its public criticism of chief minister Hajiji, did not bode well for Warisan’s desire for an alliance.
Sabah Umno and Warisan reportedly spearheaded a failed coup to oust Hajiji in January 2023.
Lee also said the decision by GRS to snub Warisan was to maintain the internal dynamics of the coalition.
GRS component parties might perceive an alliance with Warisan as detrimental to their electoral prospects and voter base. “All these could contribute to GRS’s decision to distance itself from Warisan. And we know that GRS is comfortable with its current partners (so far),” he said.