A Sarawak leader has dismissed claims that political parties from Sabah and Sarawak could lose their kingmaker role after the next general election, insisting that both East Malaysian states will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s political landscape.
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said while political dynamics could change over time, any assessment of Malaysia’s political future must take into account the strategic importance of Sabah and Sarawak.
He said Peninsular Malaysia-based political parties would not easily ignore the interests of the two Bornean states, particularly given their significance to the nation.
“One must remember, where are Malaysia’s natural resources? Where are they located? Do you think Peninsular Malaysia-based political parties are willing to take that risk by not cooperating with Sarawak or Sabah? Do they dare?” he was quoted as saying in Kuching.
Responding to prediction on GE16
Abdul Karim was responding to Parti Bangsa Malaysia president Larry Sng’s prediction that, based on the current political trajectory following the Negeri Sembilan election, an informal alliance between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) would likely secure a simple majority in the next general election.
Larry said BN and PN had won a combined 98 parliamentary seats in the 2022 general election and would require only 14 more seats to achieve a simple majority and form the federal government.
However, Abdul Karim, who is the spokesman for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and information chief of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, said GPS joined the unity government to help ensure political stability.
“If the situation in Peninsular Malaysia leans towards one party or coalition being able to form a government without Sabah and Sarawak, well, that is his opinion,” he said.
Unity government formed after hung Parliament
The 2022 general election resulted in a hung Parliament, paving the way for the formation of the unity government comprising Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional, GPS, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and several smaller parties.
During the election, BN, PN and PH contested 171 parliamentary seats against one another, most of them in Peninsular Malaysia, including 86 constituencies where Malays made up at least 65% of the electorate.
The final results saw PH emerge as the largest bloc with 82 seats in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat, followed by PN with 74 seats, BN with 30 seats, GPS with 23 seats and GRS with six seats.
Following the election, BN, GPS and GRS backed PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim to form the current unity government.
Political observers have previously suggested that the 16th general election could produce another hung Parliament, with no single party or coalition securing enough seats to govern on its own.
