Political observer: Bersatu does not need physical presence in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia can still set foot on Sabah soil despite Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announcing no plans to do so, says a political watcher.

“There is no stopping the 16 ex-Umno lawmakers and 21 division chiefs from becoming direct Bersatu members,” said Mohd Rahezzal Shah.

Rahezzal, a political science lecturer with UiTM Sabah, said it was not necessary for the party to have a physical presence right now.

“In this day and age, you can get a credit card without an account,” he said.

Rahezzal was commenting on Dr Mahathir’s statement that Bersatu would not spread its wings to Sabah as a replacement to the crumbling Sabah Umno.

Pictures of former Sabah Umno chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor and his secretary Datuk Masidi Manjun showing Bersatu membership applications have been circulated on social media.

Amid claims that the applications involved some 100,000 ex-Umno members, Masidi said on Tuesday that they would remain as inde- pendent lawmakers in the state, parliament and senate.

Rahezzal said the anticipated entry of Bersatu might be a balance against Parti Warisan Sabah, which has been pushing the touchy issues of oil revenue and state rights.

He said the ex-Sabah Umno leaders had been seen with Bersatu leaders.

“Should they decide to join Bersatu it is understandable, as most of them wanted to work closely with the federal government and this would give them more access to government funds and agencies.

“In other words, they don’t have to be part of Warisan led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in order to be in the government,” he said adding that the ex-Sabah Umno leaders abandoned the party for political survival.

“In the short term, the exodus of Sabah Umno and their pledge to support both federal and state governments would bring some sort of political stability.

“But in the long run it could create a headache for Warisan,” he added.

In the short term, the exodus of Sabah Umno will bring political stability. Mohd Rahezzal Shah