THE Sarawak government’s move to leave Barisan Nasional could lead to similar exits by the coalition’s smaller component parties which see little political and financial incentive to stay on.

With the emasculation of Umno, BN’s lynchpin party, the coalition’s smaller partners will no longer benefit from the political and business favours that used to be doled out by the Malay party, said University of Tasmania’s director of the Asia Institute, James Chin.

“You have to remember all these parties are leaving because they have nothing to lose. Previously, they cannot leave because of government contracts and positions, plus business opportunities.

“Some even stayed because they want titles like Tan Sri, Datuk, etc. Now that they can get nothing, there is nothing to stop them leaving as well,” Chin told The Malaysian Insight.

Sarawak chief minister Abang Johari Openg announced today that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) have left BN to form another pact, known as Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

The new grouping is not part of Pakatan Harapan.

The move by GPS will shave 19 parliamentary seats from the 79 that BN won on May 9, further weakening the coalition that had ruled the country for more than six decades.

“Most of the BN parties are out already, so it looks like BN will be left with original founders Umno, MIC and MCA,” said Chin.

“Gerakan is likely to leave soon. I will not be surprised that even MCA will go,” he said.

However, Chin said BN will likely still continue to live on, albeit in a different form, as Umno still controls 54 parliamentary seats, making it the single biggest party in Parliament.

“Umno is BN, so as long as Umno is alive, BN will be alive. But they may go for a new name.”

Five political blocs emerged after the 14th general election – Pakatan Harapan, PAS, BN, Sarawak BN and Sabah BN. Sabah BN began disintegrating immediately after May 9 after its state seats were reduced from 29 to 11.

“Some people thought that BN was more cohesive than the (then) opposition pacts, including PH. The truth is BN’s cohesiveness is really its power at the central government,” said Penang Institute fellow Wong Chin Huat.

“Now that it has lost the power, this is the inevitable outcome.”

Political analyst Associate Prof Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said the Sarawak exit today was spurred on by a desire by the parties involved to distance themselves from the fallout of scandals plaguing former prime minister Najib Razak.

This includes the RM1.25 billion project awarded without open tender to a car rental company to install solar panels at 369 schools in Sarawak’s interiors.

“The truth is such a move by GPS is like a snake changing its skin, but the content remains the same without structural or leadership reforms.

“It appears to be the end of the road for BN,” said Awang Azman. – June 12, 2018.