Analysts: Bid to form coalition not unexpected

KUCHING: The move by Sarawak’s former Barisan Nasional component parties to form a new coalition was widely expected, political analysts say.

According to University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute director Prof James Chin, the party leaders had probably thought about quitting on May 9 when they saw how bad Barisan was doing.

“There was a delay of about a month in announcing the decision because the parties had to be seen to be going through the process of consulting members.

“But I think on the night itself, they already realised the Barisan brand was toxic and they had to get out,” he said.

Chin said the Sarawak parties were also worried that they would be “wiped out” in the next state elections due by 2021 if they remained in Barisan, particularly if the Pakatan Harapan-led Federal Government does a good job.

“So they have to rebrand themselves. But this is an unusual rebranding because there is no change in leadership. It is just a change of name and logo,” he said.

Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced yester-

Prof James Chin

day that the four component parties of PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP were leaving Barisan to form a state-based coalition – Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Chin pointed out that both the Sarawak and Sabah state governments were now led by parties that were not part of the Federal Government.

“The parties in Sabah and Sarawak are now casting themselves as Malaysia Agreement nationalists. Whoever is pro-Federal Government has no political future.

“It’s now very interesting that the political ideology in Sabah and Sarawak is state nationalism,” he said.

However, he said GPS would still face a tough fight in the next state elections if the Pakatan Federal Government performs well and proves to be popular.

“This is because Pakatan can offer something that GPS cannot, which is full autonomy to Sarawak,” he said.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir said the former Sarawak Barisan parties were being pragmatic for their political survival.

“As long as they are still with Barisan, they will face problems in the next state elections. The only way forward is to part ways in order to survive the most challenging of polls in 2021,” he said.

As an independent coalition, he added that GPS no longer had to refer to Federal leadership but was free to make its own decisions.

He said it was also important for the new coalition to change its political strategies and philosophies in line with the people’s aspirations.

“Otherwise, people will just label them as GPS with no direction. What matters to the people is the fight for Sarawak’s rights and delivery of promises,” he said.

This is an unusual rebranding because there is no change in leadership. It is just a change of name and logo.