Sabah Move may not have an impact at federal level, BN-Warisan-PH coalition likely: experts

SHAH ALAM - The newly-minted unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can stand still without the support from Sabah's Barisan Nasional (BN).

National Council of Professors senior fellow Prof Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir said Sabah BN leaving Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will not have an impact on national politics.

"Sabah won't have much impact on national politics since Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is currently leading BN will support Pakatan Harapan (PH)," he said to Sinar Daily.

This comes after Sabah Umno withdrew support from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chief and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor yesterday.

When asked on what will be the worst case scenario, Jeniri said there is a possibility of snap elections.

Commenting further, Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the worse case scenario is to dissolve and have another state election.

"Sabah saga is very much localised and the ‘Sabah Move’ might have taken place because of the changes at the federal level with PN no longer the main ruling coalition.

"A new pact may take place and I assume that it will be in line with the federal Unity Government as Warisan may join the state pact as well.

"The worst is to dissolve and have another state election but what is most likely to happen is the formation of new state government with a compromised new chief minister and grand coalition which is similar to federal as well," he said.

Sivamurugan further said that there might be a possibility for Umno, Warisan or PH to make a prominent coalition to remove GRS.

"This could also be a move to create Umno-Warisan-PH as a prominent coalition and remove GRS who is mostly PN friendly," he said.

Meanwhile Political analyst Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said Warisan sees the opportunity of a power grab if BN wants to join it.

"BN will play as a king maker to form a new government with Warisan. PH may not take sides," he said.