Did you know that in politics, timing can be everything? In the recent Sabah state election, one party's strategic exit paid off handsomely, while another's backfired spectacularly. Let's dive into the fascinating details.
Upko's Calculated Gamble:
Upko, a local Sabah-based party, made a bold move by leaving Pakatan Harapan (PH) just before the election. And guess what? It worked! They managed to triple their representation in the state assembly, jumping from a single seat to a triumphant three. Upko President Ewon Benedick showcased his political strength by retaining his Kadamaian seat with an impressive 9,672-vote majority, even without the backing of major coalitions like PH or Barisan Nasional (BN). That's right, he won even without the big party machines behind him! He previously secured this seat under different alliances, first with BN in 2018, then defending it in 2020 while aligned with PH and Warisan. This demonstrates his strong local support and ability to navigate shifting political sands.
Furthermore, Upko Deputy President Peter Donald Mojuntin scored a crucial victory by seizing the Moyog seat from Warisan, and former Upko President Wilfred Madius Tangau emerged victorious in Tamparuli. Both secured their wins with majorities exceeding 2,000 votes. This is an impressive achievement considering Upko's last-minute departure from PH. In essence, Upko's decision to go it alone proved to be a shrewd and rewarding one. But here's where it gets controversial... Was it a brilliant strategic move, or just plain luck?
STAR's Stumble:
Now, let's turn our attention to Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), led by Jeffrey Kitingan. Their story is a stark contrast to Upko's success. STAR left Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) a month prior to the election, protesting the coalition's alliance with Pakatan Harapan. And this is the part most people miss... STAR's base of support primarily comes from the Kadazandusun Murut communities. However, their exit from GRS didn't translate into significant gains outside their existing strongholds. In fact, they lost four seats they had won in the 2020 election.
Kitingan himself secured a comfortable win in Tambunan with a 7,311-vote majority, and STAR managed to hold onto the Bingkor seat with a solid 5,427 votes. So, not all was lost. However, the party suffered defeats in Sook and Liawan (lost to Barisan Nasional), Paginatan (lost to Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat – KDM), and Tulid (lost to independent candidate Jordan Jude Ellron). That's a significant blow.
Adding insult to injury, STAR Deputy President Kenny Chua lost in Inanam to Warisan, and the party's information chief, Anuar Ghani, was soundly defeated by GRS secretary-general Masidi Manjun in Karanaan. Ouch! Jordan Ellron's victory is particularly interesting because he is the son of former STAR deputy president Ellron Alfred Angin, who contested on a GRS ticket in Sook. This highlights potential internal conflicts or shifting allegiances within the region's political landscape.
KDM's Disappointing Performance:
Speaking of KDM, their election performance was even more disappointing. They were largely wiped out, with most of their top leaders suffering defeats, except for a single victory in Paginatan. KDM had high hopes of attracting voters in the interior Kadazandusun Murut regions, fielding a whopping 40 candidates. But they only managed to secure one seat. Acting KDM president Priscella Peter, daughter of the party's founder Peter Anthony (currently jailed for forgery), narrowly lost the Melalap seat by a mere 525 votes to PH's Jamawi Jaafar. KDM Deputy President Wetrom Bahanda also faced defeat in Matunggong. Despite these setbacks, KDM managed to win Paginatan, with Rusdin Riman emerging victorious.
The Power of Small Numbers:
While the cumulative six seats won by Upko, STAR and KDM might seem insignificant, they actually gave these parties a crucial "seat at the table" during negotiations to form the next Sabah government. This illustrates a key point: even small parties can wield considerable influence in coalition politics.
So, what are your thoughts? Did Upko make a brilliant move by leaving PH, or did STAR miscalculate their strategy? And what about KDM's future? Share your opinions in the comments below! Let's discuss the complexities of Sabah's political landscape and debate the factors that contributed to these surprising election outcomes. Is it all about strategy, or does luck play a bigger role than we think? What lessons can be learned from these outcomes for future elections?
