PETALING JAYA: Two analysts see the decision by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to defer entering into an electoral pact for the next state polls in Sabah as a move to placate Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Jeniri Amir, a fellow at the Council of Professors, said Zahid’s decision to strike a deal only after the state assembly is dissolved was to preserve his party’s relationship with the Sabah bloc in Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
Both he and Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Lee Kuok Tiung agreed that Zahid’s decision was not prompted by the “Dubai Move”, a reference to discussions allegedly held in the United Arab Emirates aimed at toppling the unity government.
“I strongly believe that Zahid’s latest statement is (not) based on the Dubai Move. (It is) more of a strategic move to ensure that Umno can (remain) in power after the next state election,” Jeniri told FMT.
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On Dec 14 last year, Warisan president Shafie Apdal claimed that Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin had agreed to an alliance between the two parties in a bid to take on GRS at the polls.
However, Shafie’s claim was denied by Sabah Umno deputy chief Rahman Dahlan, who said the party’s state chapter had yet to decide on an electoral alliance.
The term of the current Sabah government will expire in October 2025. However, chief minister Hajiji Noor has hinted at the possibility of the next state election being held this year.
On Tuesday, Sinar Harian quoted Zahid as saying that Umno was open to a pact with any party for the state election. However, he said a decision would only be made after the state assembly is dissolved.
Zahid also confirmed that Sabah Umno had the autonomy to decide on its alliances, although as the head of Barisan Nasional, he must be informed of its decision.
Zahid’s recent trip to Sabah had sparked rumours about political rumblings in the state. However, his political secretary, Jamal Nerubi, denied this, saying the visit was in conjunction with a Christmas open house hosted by Upko president Ewon Benedick.
Jeniri suggested that Zahid’s trip to the Bornean state was an attempt to “test the temperature” on the ground following reports of a tie-up between Sabah Umno and Warisan.
“He needed to come up with the ‘correct’ statement and the ‘correct’ decision. Otherwise, it is going to entangle Umno and then I think they (may) lose the next state election,” he said.
Both Jeniri and Lee agreed that the Umno president’s remarks would have “big implications” for Shafie and Warisan.
Lee said Zahid’s comments indicated that the tie-up between Warisan and Sabah Umno was still being negotiated and not yet a done deal.
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