WARISAN Plus has a slight edge in the Sabah elections on Saturday, said a political analyst and a former director of a state-owned foundation.  

They said the incumbent party projected a clear candidate for chief minister and a consistent message on what it stood for in Sabah.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak political analyst Dr Arnold Puyok said Warisan is projecting a united front with its allies but concedes the situation remains volatile.

“Warisan is quite strong, because they have a clear chief minister candidate. 

“However, the Perikatan Nasional uncertain choice of CM, this will affect their chances in the polls,” he said on business radio station BFM 89.9’s Breakfast Grille today.

Former Sabah Foundation deputy director Dr Johan Ariffin said while the sentiments on the ground are strong for Warisan Plus, it cannot discount the formidable election machinery of Barisan Nasional, Umno and Bersatu. 

“Sentiments on the ground are that the people are still upset with the party hoppers. 

“They feel that Warisan should have been given full term to govern,” he said but said the federal coalition’s machinery cannot to be underestimated in the run up to Saturday’s vote.

Johan said Warisan’s message is clear and focused while BN and PN’s theme is all over the place and one that does not project a united front. 

Shafie and the Warisan campaign have touted unity and multiculturalism and subtly contrasted it with the heavy dominance of the Malay-based Bersatu, Umno and PAS in Putrajaya.

It has also consistently championed state rights and why only a local party could protect the rights of Sabahans.

On the other hand, the PN-BN pact is leveraging on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s popularity and the importance of having the federal government’s backing to draw development and assistance to the state.

“They (BN) are not coming together as one team. I feel it will be a close contest (this Saturday).”

When asked about the smaller parties becoming kingmakers, Arnold said Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and STAR are more visible.

“They could be kingmakers. It’s not because of Anifah Aman (PCS president). They are also championing Sabah rights (for the people).”

PCS is a smaller party and some are accusing it of being a trojan horse for BN, said Johan. – September 22, 2020.