'Warisan could play kingmaker in Sabah polls'

 By Olivia Miwil - March 17, 2025 @ 7:01am

Warisan came to power in the 2018 general election, forming a coalition government that lasted 28 months. - FILEPIC

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan's decision to go solo in the state election gives it the freedom to contest anywhere and increases its bargaining power if it wins a significant number of seats.

Universiti Teknologi Mara analyst Tony Paridi Bagang said that given the political climate in the state, Warisan is strategising to win as many seats as possible, without negotiating with other parties.

Last week, party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the party would contest alone, citing Berjaya and Parti Bersatu Sabah as examples of parties that governed independently.

None of the coalitions in Sabah have finalised their seat negotiations for the 73 state seats.

The ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, which comprises seven parties, has yet to announce which seats it will contest.

However, its component parties have expressed interest, with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku aiming for 16 seats and Parti Bersatu Sabah targeting 13.

The United Sabah Nasional Organisation has hinted at contesting either Tanjung Kapor or Banggi, while Parti Cinta Sabah is open to not contesting any seats.

Meanwhile, Sabah Pakatan Harapan plans to retain its seven seats, but is finalising allocations among its four parties.

Sabah Umno has announced candidates for Putatan and Usukan.

Shafie has expressed interest in working with PBS and Star, but no collaboration has materialised.

Sabah Umno and Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat have confirmed that they will not work with Warisan.

Tony said: "If Warisan secures a significant number of seats, it could become a kingmaker if it cannot form a government on its own.

"Warisan needs 18 to 25 seats to be a kingmaker. If it secures more, that would be better."

Warisan came to power in the 2018 general election, forming a coalition government that lasted 28 months.

In 2020, despite winning 29 seats, the party lost to GRS, which won 38 seats.

Before the implementation of the anti-party hopping law, a number of Warisan assemblymen defected, leaving it with 14 representatives.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah political analyst Associate Professor Dr Lee Kuok Tiung said Warisan had reaffirmed its stand to contest independently on several occasions.

"Rather than being a reaction to others rejecting collaboration, this stand may stem from Warisan's confidence in its own strength.

"Warisan emphasises its identity as a multi-racial party committed to serving all Sabahans and the party, offering leadership that transcends racial lines," he said.