Anwar should focus more deeply on national development and reduce political rhetoric, as many voters perceive his leadership as overly focused on political narratives rather than concrete reforms, Arvin said.
“In Sabah, attention will now turn to whether the federal government fulfils its commitment to the 40 per cent revenue entitlement promised under MA63,” he added.
“Delivering this would significantly improve the credibility of the federal administration in East Malaysia.”
The Sabah polls produced the “best election outcome” for Anwar as he would have an “easier time” negotiating the 40 per cent issue with Hajiji, said Chin from the University of Tasmania.
An “indirect implication” for the Anwar, however, is that GRS has now won a “strong mandate” on its own, compared to its victory in 2020, Chin said.
When GRS won in 2020, the coalition still comprised BN lynchpin party the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, whose leader Muhyiddin Yassin was prime minister at the time.
“GRS will probably push Anwar to give them one more federal deputy minister’s post in the upcoming capital reshuffle,” Chin predicted.
5. WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION?
The Sabah election was a “stress test” of the strength of the Anwar government brand beyond peninsular Malaysia, as well as stability of large coalitions like PH, BN and GRS, which are all part of the Anwar’s unity government at the federal level, UM’s Awang Azman said.
“If Sabah’s lessons are ignored, political undercurrent in other states could grow ahead of GE16,” he said, referring to Malaysia’s next general election, which must be held by February 2028.
Adib, from Viewfinder Global Affairs, said PH and GRS are likely to form a “more cohesive partnership” in federal elections.
Anwar’s dependence on Borneo parties like GRS will prove even more crucial in helping PH secure a parliamentary majority in federal elections, said Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, a partner at strategic advisory firm ADA Southeast Asia.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-sabah-election-grs-anwar-ph-dap-5498131
