In an earlier article, the North Borneo Herald had commented on the need for the Kadazandusun-based parties within the Barisan Nasional (BN) to unite. Here we would take a look at one benefit of having Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun-Murut Organization (UPKO)to merge.
As we all know during the 2008 state elections, PBS was allocated 13 seats, UPKO 6 and PBRS 1. Together these parties were allocated 20 seats. Two of these seats are Chinese-majority seats allocated to PBS. Unfortunately, PBS lost one of these Chinese seats, namely Sri Tanjung. This shows the level of support the PBS has among voters who are non-Kadazandusuns or non-Muruts.
At the same time, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) had contested in 32 seats, four of them being Kadazandusun-majority seats and one Murut-majority seat. These seats are Karanaan, Kemabong, Liawan, Pitas and Sugut. The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) on the other hand contested one Kadazandusun-majority seat allocated to it. Though the MCA won on two occassions, the votes it garnered show that majority of voters in Kepayan are against MCA contesting there. The only reason MCA won in 2004 and 2008 was because there were too many candidates contesting against it.
Now, it is no secret that PBS and UPKO have lobbied for Kadazandusun and Murut majority state constituencies. But when two parties lobby for a same seat, what happens is that the seat would go to UMNO. If PBS, PBRS and UPKO are united they could stake claim to all 24 Kadazandusun-majority seats as follows:
1.N3. Pitas
2.N4. Matunggong
3.N5. Tandek
4.N7. Kadamaian
5.N9. Tamparuli
6.N11.Kiulu
7.N13.Inanam
8.N17.Tanjung Aru
9.N19.Kapayan
10.N20.Moyog
11.N26.Kuala Penyu
12.N29.Kundasang
13.N30.Karanaan
14.N31.Paginatan
15.N32.Tambunan
16.N33.Bingkor
17.N34.Liawan
18.N35.Malalap
19.N36.Kemabong
20.N37.Sook
21.N38.Nabawan
22.N39.Sugut
23.N40.Labuk
24.N47.Kuamut
And if this merger materializes and its leaders ask for the allocation of Sri Tanjung and Api Api to PBS to be retained, they could contest 26 seats in the state assembly, only one less than UMNO's 27! This could give the Kadazandusuns and Muruts a greater say in the state assembly and the government.
Opposition supporters who in the past voted against the Barisan Nasional (BN) too might change their mind and vote for the BN since they see an increased participation by Kadazandusun and Murut leaders.
So, the opportunity for the KDMs to return to political prominence in Sabah is great. The ball is now in the hands of the Kadazandusun-Murut leaders in the BN.
*according to the Election Commission's statistics, some of the state assembly seats listed above may show a large portion of supposedly-Malay voters. This however points to the large number of Kadazandusuns who have converted to Islam, especially in Karanaan, Kundasang, Paginatan and Bingkor. These seats are in fact non-Malay majority.
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3 comments:
should talk about the "what if" in future, no more wondering about the "what if" in the past.
What can the natives Sabah leaders perform to gain back the confidence of the people? in terms of social infrastructure, public health&education, etc... compares to many countries, all these works are carried out by the local self-help NGOs and made it a success to venture globally.
So, why sabahan always wants to look upon the KL gov to get funding for the state development? ...like a dog waiting for the master's breadcrumbs drop from table?
Should put an article on how to make Sabah towards an autonomous "Independance State". (Something like Andorra, Monaco, etc..)
I agree with anonymous. Sabahans are very scared to make their own decisions and afraid to voice out their dissatisfactions because the KL govt. controls the funding and almost everything else. I wonder if we can ever achieve that big majority and be an autonomous state, or at least a state govt. that functions on its own.
Nice post thanks for sharingg
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