Sabah showdown
‘Two tigers on one mountain’ clash between Shafie and Musa could swing outcome of entire polls: Expert
PETALING JAYA: All eyes will soon be on Sabah as the state heads into its second elections in just over two years, and just as the previous one, it is expected to be a tightly-contested affair. At the moment, it is hard to predict which way the results will go, although analysts have said there would be several key factors in play that could make or break the chances of the parties contesting.
They said the results could mainly depend on the battle between Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Tan Sri Musa Aman, and just as much on the cooperation between Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
Universiti Malaya academician Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi likened the rivalry between incumbent Sabah Chief Minister Shafie and his predecessor Musa to “two tigers on the same mountain”, and said they could play a major role in influencing the outcome of the elections.
“Both are known to be individuals who never give up. When they go to war, there are bound to be many victims, even the rakyat. And as long as the other doesn’t go down, expect the battle to continue,” he told theSun yesterday.
“These are two individuals who have very strong political personalities and aura, in terms of power, influence and position.”
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) and allied parties including Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and STAR will contest in all 73 seats of the State Legislative Assembly in the coming state elections.
Sabah BN comprises Umno, MCA and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).
Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said BN would hold negotiations with its allied parties on the division of seats for the election in a day or two and said that negotiations would be completed in two weeks.
“Today, we decided that we will be contesting in 73 seats to challenge Warisan Sabah. This means Sabah Umno will be negotiating in a day or two with our allies who are not pro-Warisan. – Bernama