Penyatuan politik Melayu mungkin tiada tarikan di Sabah, Sarawak, kata Salleh
Bendahari Umno Sabah itu berkata persefahaman Umno-PAS itu mungkin berkesan di Semenanjung tetapi tak sesuai di Sabah dan Sarawak.
Former Sabah Chief Minister Salleh Said Keruak has stated that a Malaysian Malay unity politics involving Umno and PAS might have electoral appeal in the Peninsula, but the political reality in Sabah and Sarawak is different. The Bendahari of Umno Sabah emphasized that any collaboration between Umno and PAS successful in the Peninsula might not be suitable for application in Sabah.
He noted that such cooperation could yield negative effects if perceived as an overly Peninsula-centric political formula. The 2025 Sabah Election results clearly illustrate this point, with the People's Justice Party (PRP) winning 29 out of 73 seats, while the Heritage Party claimed 25 seats. Collectively, these two political forces dominated 54 seats, nearly three-quarters of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).
The Barisan Nasional (BN) secured only six seats, the National Unity Party (PN) one seat, and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) suffered a significant decline, winning just one seat among the 20 contested. Salleh claimed that sentiments of secession, autonomy, development, and Sabah's rights have become increasingly crucial in determining voter choices.
In a Facebook post, he pointed out that Sarawak demonstrated a clearer picture through the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)'s success using a Sarawak-centric political approach, while Umno failed to make inroads in the state. Salleh emphasized that Umno Sabah should be viewed as a national party understanding Sabah's reality and willing to collaborate with local parties, particularly GRS.
The formula should be clear: political stability, development, Sabah's rights, and the interests of the people of Sabah. The island nation should not necessarily require the same political formula and electoral choice in every state, he concluded. Successful Umno-PAS collaborations in the past resulted in significant BN and PN wins in PRN Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
Both Umno and PAS leaders also agreed that such political cooperation would continue in the upcoming election, including the 16th general election.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Sabah Umno’s priority must be GRS, not PAS, says Salleh freemalaysiatoday.com
