KOTA KINABALU: The idea of Barisan Nasional (BN) wanting to work with the peninsular-based Pakatan Harapan (PH) is met with scepticism.

Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Romzi Ationg said he is sceptical of the collaboration idea.

"It is especially challenging to acquire solid political support from the people here in Sabah due to the Sabahan sentiment.

"Instead, I may suggest to them a collaboration with the local parties," he said, commenting on the report of Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wanting to strengthen ties with PH before the Sabah elections.

Sabah is now governed by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition together with seven Sabah PH-elected representatives.

GRS comprises eight local component parties - Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Sabah Progressive Party, United Sabah National Organisation, Liberal Democratic Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, and Parti Cinta Sabah.

State Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who leads the coalition, has been using the tagline "Our home, we look after ourselves", which is in line with people's aspiration to emulate the Sarawak government by being governed by its people.

However, the academician from Universiti Malaysia Sabah said that given Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the leader of the PH coalition, it would give BN more opportunities to leverage during the state election.

He added that among those opportunities are gaining more seats and having capable leaders in the PH coalition who could convince voters to support them.

Apart from that, issues such as shortages of power and water supply may implicate and waver support towards other political parties in the government, which would give an advantage to BN-PH.

Last week, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said that the party would form a coalition.

Despite no official announcement of the components, leaders from Parti Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat were seen at the event.

Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said that there is no issue if BN chose other parties to work with during the election.

As of press time, there has yet to be any response from Sabah Pakatan Harapan leaders about Ahmad Zahid's statement.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1053956/scepticism-over-bns-intentions-collaborate-ph-ahead-sabah-election