Analysts said that adding to the complexities is the withdrawal of UPKO – a Sabah-based party led by its president and former Cabinet member Ewon – from Pakatan Harapan just before the state polls.
UPKO claimed its departure was due to disputes with national component parties over the constitutional rights of Sabah, particularly the interpretation of its 40 per cent entitlement to federal revenue derived from the Borneo state.
Last month, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the Malaysian federal government had acted unlawfully by failing to fulfil Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement for nearly 50 years.
On Tuesday, Malaysia’s Attorney General Chambers said that it would not appeal the High Court’s ruling and would begin negotiations with the Sabah state government immediately.
Political commentator Zaharuddin Sani pointed to the government’s decision as one example of how Anwar could use the Sabah election for maximum political leverage, saying that any federal gesture could carry extra weight.
Zaharuddin also believed there was a possibility that a deputy prime minister from Sabah could even be appointed soon.
“(This is) not as appeasement, but as strategic recognition that Malaysia’s future lies in embracing its federal complexity rather than fighting it,” he said.
He added that Ewon’s resignation has placed Sabah’s representation in the Cabinet at risk and if Anwar bypassed Sabah for an appointee from Peninsular Malaysia, it could alienate East Malaysian voters and reignite calls for greater autonomy.
“Ignoring Sabah in a reshuffle would be a symbolic betrayal,” said Zaharuddin.
Sivamurugan agreed and believed that Anwar would pick someone who is from Sabah and loyal to Pakatan Harapan.
“The aim would be to signal to Sabah voters most likely after the state election that PH is moving to reaffirm its Sabah commitment. It could be someone aligned closely during the state election,” he said.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/anwar-ibrahim-malaysia-cabinet-reshuffle-sabah-general-election-5461871
