Sabah, Sarawak can be kingmakers in next GE, says Armizan

PAPAR (Feb 28): Sabah and Sarawak could emerge as decisive blocs in the next general election, but the key question is how the two Borneo states choose to leverage that position, said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

He was commenting on a recent Facebook statement by Umno Sabah treasurer Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, who noted that Sabah and Sarawak would play a crucial role in determining the next federal government.

Armizan, who is also Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, described Salleh’s observation as “self-evident”.

“If we look at the results of the 15th general election (GE15) and the current political landscape, there is no single coalition or single party that can form a stable government on its own,” he said after attending a programme at SMK Pengalat here.

“It requires a combination of multiple parties. This trend did not begin with GE15 but culminated there, when no single coalition could independently form the government,” he added.

He noted that Sabah and Sarawak together hold 56 parliamentary seats.

“When no single coalition can secure a simple majority on its own, Sabah and Sarawak, with around 56 seats in total, can indeed become an important bloc.

“That is the reality. But for Sabah and Sarawak, the important question is how we leverage that situation,” he said.

Armizan posed a critical choice for the two states: remain “passengers” in federal power arrangements, or become a strong bloc capable of not just helping form the government but shaping its core agenda.

“Do we still want to take the role of passengers, merely complementing the formation of a government?

“Or do we want to become a strong bloc that can not only help form the government but set the core agenda of the government?” he asked.

While agreeing with Salleh’s assessment, Armizan pointed out that Sarawak has made strides towards political unity under a cohesive local coalition model, whereas Sabah has yet to fully consolidate.

“Sad to say, Sarawak has started. They have strong unity and a large number of seats to determine the government. But it has not fully happened in Sabah,” he said.

He highlighted that recent state election results showed a majority of Sabahans favour local parties.

“For us to become a strong bloc, as mentioned by Datuk Seri Salleh, we need many seats. If we remain divided among ourselves, the bloc will not be strong.

“We must have the numbers and be able to determine our own stance, not become passengers to other parties,” he said, adding that Sabah should contest and win under a strong local coalition model similar to Sarawak.

Armizan stressed that voters have already expressed a preference for local parties, but the sentiment has yet to be fully reflected in the stance of political leaders.

“The people have spoken. They have decided on that approach. But leaders have not fully acted in that direction,” he said.

“It is not just about becoming a strong and united bloc. More importantly, how do we utilise that bloc and unity to advance the state’s agenda?

“That is far more important to ensure Sabah’s interests are placed as one of the co-agendas of the federal government,” he said.

Earlier, Salleh had said in his Facebook post that Sabah and Sarawak, with 56 seats plus one from Labuan, could play a kingmaker role in a tight general election.

“A coalition requires 112 seats to govern, and if neither side secures a strong majority, Borneo will become the decisive factor,” he said.

“True power comes from unity and a clear agenda,” said Salleh, adding that Sabah and Sarawak must focus on stability, development, Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation, equitable revenue sharing and enhanced state rights.