Different configuration in Sabah won't affect govt's cohesion, say analysts

Free Malaysia Today

07-05-2025

GRS and PH form the backbone of the state government in Sabah, while BN and Warisan sit in the opposition.
PETALING JAYA : The unity government's cohesion will not be affected even if the political configuration of the next Sabah government does not align with that of the federal administration, say analysts.
Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Pawi and Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said the present federal government has been able to function well even though Barisan Nasional and Warisan sit as the opposition in the Sabah legislative assembly.
This is due to Sabah's distinct political landscape which is dominated by local parties.
Bilcher said Sabah's dynamic political environment makes it necessary for parties in the unity government to take a more flexible approach to the formation of the state government given the local realities.
Bilcher Bala.
'The alliances at the state and federal levels are capable of functioning separately without one affecting the other.
'BN and Warisan are in the opposition in the Sabah assembly but are still working together with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan at the federal level,' he told FMT.
He said the country has no 'one-size-fits-all' model that can be applied to Sabah.
Awang Azman agreed, saying the difference in political setups at the federal and state levels can still be managed through mutual understanding and respect within the unity government.
Awang Azman Pawi.
He said Sabah's complex political landscape has led to frequent changes in the state administration, with political lines being drawn according to regions, ethnicities, parties and even personalities.
'Therefore, forcing the federal model of cooperation on Sabah without taking into account the local context can actually disrupt the state's political stability and result in the neglect of Sabahans' needs and aspirations,' said Awang Azman.
Last week, GRS deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali said Sabah should not be forced to replicate the federal government's unity model in its upcoming state election.
Armizan said a memorandum of understanding signed by five political coalitions and parties in December 2022 pertained solely to cooperation in forming the federal government and did not extend to state administrations.
Both GRS and BN are courting PH for an alliance in the upcoming Sabah state election, which must be held by the end of the year.