Peter Anthony S Party A Double Edged Sword For Grs Says Analyst

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Peter Anthony’s new KDM party was launched by GRS chairman Hajiji Noor and is expected to join the ruling state coalition.KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) would be taking a gamble should it decide to allow Peter Anthony’s new party, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) into its fold, says an analyst.
Sabah UiTM senior lecturer Tony Paridi Bagang said KDM could be a double-edged sword for the ruling coalition as the party could strengthen it but also cause divisions.
He said that while KDM’s inclusion will shore up Kadazan Dusun Murut votes for GRS, things could get messy at the next general election.
“There is a high risk of votes being split and of sabotage if KDM, PBS and STAR cannot come to a consensus over seat allocations,” he told FMT.
He also said Anthony’s ongoing court case for graft can also be a liability for GRS as its opponents can use the issue as political ammunition.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and STAR are part of GRS. Like KDM, they are multiracial parties but have strong support in Kadazan Dusun Murut areas.
KDM looks set to join GRS after GRS chairman Hajiji Noor launched the party last Sunday. At the event, Anthony also handed KDM’s official application to join the ruling state coalition.
Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said GRS cannot afford to ignore KDM’s application as “the risk of not taking them in outweighs benefits of having them as a member”.
“KDM striking out on its own in many seats will surely split the votes for PBS and STAR,” he told FMT.
Oh said he does not foresee Warisan being able to make inroads in Kadazan Dusun Murut-majority constituencies.
“Therefore, the support from this community is still likely to remain with GRS, and as long as they apportion their seats accordingly without overlaps, they should still win their respective seats.”
Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Romzi Ationg said PBS and STAR would see KDM as a direct threat to their hopes for more seats.
Romzi said seat allocations were already an issue between PBS and STAR at the Sabah elections in 2020. Adding KDM to the equation would further complicate matters. - FMT

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