Sabah Umno May Ramp Up Criticism Of Ph Says Analyst

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Support from Sabah PKR for chief minister Hajiji Noor indicates that the party values political stability for the sake of the economy, according to UMS’s Bilcher Bala.
PETALING JAYA: A political analyst expects Sabah Umno leaders to ramp up its criticism of Pakatan Harapan in the months ahead, with the latter appearing to lean towards a pact with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for the upcoming state polls.
University of Tasmania’s James Chin said Sabah Umno knows it cannot contest the 17th state election alone and that an alliance is necessary to improve its prospects of success.
He said local sentiment in Sabah suggests that PH had “more or less agreed to go with GRS”, despite Sabah Barisan Nasional also courting an electoral alliance.
James Chin.“So Umno has nothing to lose when it attacks PH. We can expect more of such back-and-forth in the coming months,” Chin told FMT.
On Monday, Sabah Umno election director Jeffery Nor Mohamed urged PH to be upfront and clarify whether it intends to work with BN at this year’s state election.
Sabah PKR information chief Razeef Rakimin, however, responded by urging Umno to focus on its own affairs and to refrain from interfering in PH’s internal negotiations.

Sabah PH has said it intends to resolve all seat negotiations internally first before holding talks with other parties on proposed electoral alliances.
‘Tensions’
Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said the back-and-forth between Razeef and Jeffery was proof that the “open communication channels” established between Sabah BN and PH in November have not been fruitful.
Bilcher Bala.He said tensions between the two coalitions were readily apparent, adding that there have been no developments since leaders of both parties held informal talks in Kota Kinabalu.
Bilcher said Jeffery appeared keen to highlight Sabah Umno’s stand and obtain “some sort of assurance” from PH.
“He wants to show that Sabah Umno is ready and committed to working with PH. Meanwhile, the tone of Sabah PH’s response is akin to saying they won’t be forced into it.”
Bilcher also said Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has support from a “substantial majority” of Sabah PKR’s 26 division heads which hints at the direction the party and Sabah PH is likely to take for state polls.
“It shows that Sabah PKR may be more inclined to maintaining the status quo and working with GRS. Secondly, it shows that Sabah PKR values political stability for the sake of the state’s economy,” he said.
Bilcher, however, said Sabah PKR was still divided on the issue.
He said Sabah PKR secretary Sazalye Donol Abdullah’s assertion that Hajiji had the backing of the entire party was played down by another leader as being a personal view.
“This shows that there are differing views among Sabah PKR leaders with regards to cooperation with external parties.” - FMT

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