IN a first for the country, the idea of an East Malaysian prime minister is being touted after Dr Mahathir Mohamad nominated Mohd Shafie Apdal for the top job should Pakatan Harapan and its allies, working together under the Pakatan Plus banner, wrest federal power. The unilateral announcement came on the heels of PH’s failure to agree on a candidate for the post.

Many find Dr Mahathir’s pick confounding. Will the combo of Shafie as prime minister, and Anwar Ibrahim and Mukhriz Mahathir as his deputies solve the pact’s infighting over who should take the premiership?

East Malaysia, rejoice?

From a Sabahan’s perspective, having a prime minister from the state is cause for much joy, with the hope that it will bring more inclusive development projects to Sabah and see the principles of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 upheld. And at long last, Putrajaya will properly acknowledge that Sabahans and Sarawakians deserve the same rights as peninsula folk.

However, it could be a “killer bullet” for the opposition’s campaign in the elections, especially when it comes to Shafie’s Parti Warisan Sabah.

In the lead-up to the 14th general election, state opposition parties mocked the Warisan logo and Shafie’s ethnicity, calling the party emblem a pirate ship in reference to the derogatory stereotype of the Bajau as sea bandits. Worse, there were claims that illegal immigrants – another label assigned to the community – would flood the state if Warisan won. Some peninsula residents might not be aware that the rising number of illegals in Sabah is a major concern for locals.

Furthermore, Project IC, which granted citizenship to unqualified foreigners, remains unforgivable. Given this, Dr Mahathir’s support for Shafie is perhaps not a plus after all in terms of gaining Sabahans’ confidence, and eventually, votes, especially among the non-Muslim natives. It can turn into yet another racial issue for their opponents to campaign on and benefit from.

Making sense of manoeuvre

Besides, there are lingering doubts as to whether PKR and Anwar supporters agree to Shafie’s nomination. According to news reports, the Shafie-Anwar-Mukhriz combo has secured the backing of DAP and Amanah, but there has yet to be an endorsement by Anwar’s PKR.

This makes Dr Mahathir’s move to name Shafie as the prime minister candidate seem like a desperate act to keep Anwar out of the power equation. Or, is the opposition merely seeking to gain mileage by obtaining East Malaysians’ support?

Another major question is whether Dr Mahathir is as sincere about his Shafie proposal as he is about restoring PH’s mandate. If the answer is yes, why did he not name a Sarawakian as one of the deputy prime ministers instead of his own son? Only with Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s support can the opposition ensure the toppling of the Perikatan Nasional administration.

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Dr Mahathir said Malays do not support multiracial parties, which was why PH needed Bersatu, the outfit he founded, to court the Malay vote in GE14. And yet, Warisan is a multiracial party. Its deputy president is a Kadazan Christian, vice-president a Chinese and secretary-general a Dusun. Isn’t it more multiracial than PKR? So, why did Dr Mahathir suddenly throw his support behind Shafie and Warisan?

I believe most Malaysians have doubts, and are fed up with the months-long tussle for power. Some analysts have said it is just another move by Pakatan Plus to “checkmate” the backdoor PN government. In my opinion, there should be a return to the rightful democratic procedures, such as tabling a no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin Yassin at the next Parliament sitting so that his legitimacy as prime minister can be ascertained.

If Muhyiddin fails, Parliament should be dissolved and elections called, allowing the people to decide the government. Only then can Malaysia be a truly democratic country. – July 6, 2020.

* Esther Sinirisan Chong is a member of Agora Society. She was born and raised in the Land Below the Wind. Her research interest lies in education and government policies, and the history and heritage of East Malaysia.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.