Already weak Sabah Umno risks bigger election setback, says analyst

Already weak Sabah Umno risks bigger election setback, says analyst

PETALING JAYA: With Sabah Umno no longer the dominant force it once was, the party risks a bigger setback in the next state assembly elections should it continue to antagonise its federal allies, an analyst said.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Sabah Umno sorely needed alliances with local parties if it wanted to perform well at the elections.

“This strategy (to oust Hajiji) is a no go from the start because GRS still holds the (majority in the state assembly).”

GRS, Umno, Pakatan Harapan and Warisan are allies in the federal government. However, in Sabah, the state government is composed of GRS and PH, while Sabah Umno sits in the opposition with Warisan.

Mining scandal

Sources previously told FMT that the leaking of a series of videos tying several Sabah assemblymen to an alleged mining scandal was part of an Umno-led plot against GRS.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Sekali Lagi Gerakan Cuba Jolok Sarang Tebuan

Sabah Umno has since denied being the mastermind behind the leaks, although it has demanded that Hajiji step down as chief minister and challenged him to sue the person who leaked the videos.

Yesterday, Sabah PKR appeared to give Hajiji its backing, saying the state government should be allowed to function as usual pending an investigation into the allegations pertaining to the scandal.

Manage HR workflows with Jira Service Management.

Azmi said Sabah Umno should learn from Bung’s failed attempt to unseat Hajiji as chief minister in January last year. Similar to the push to oust Hajiji this time round, he said Sabah Umno did not have the support.

He said “Sabah Umno has lost the plot” when it suggested that Hajiji be replaced by deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan, president of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR).

Bung’s waning influence

Bung Moktar’s influence has waned in recent months, according to political analyst Bridget Welsh, who said the recent controversy may not be able to do Bung any favours as there was growing momentum to replace Sabah Umno’s leadership.

“His base is not as strong as it once was.”

Welsh said whether Sabah Umno could benefit from the mining controversy hinged on how it manages its internal conflicts and with whom it is aligned during the elections.