IT would be more meaningful for Parti Warisan to form a pact with Pakatan Harapan (PH) than going at it alone in Peninsular Malaysia’s political scene.
I am glad that Warisan under the leadership of Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has taken the initiative to spread its wings to Peninsular Malaysia.
Who says that only Peninsular parties can make an impact on the regions of Sabah and Sarawak?
The old days of internal colonialism is over – parties and politicians from Peninsular Malaysia can no longer have a big brother attitude towards the people in these two significant and equal regions in Malaysia.
The very fact that Warisan is making an appearance in the Peninsular is not just about gaining a political foothold but to impress upon Malaysians that political parties and politicians from these two regions on the Borneo Island must be taken seriously.
In a way the entry of Warisan is more about ending inequality among the regions in Malaysia.
It is about telling the ruling parties at the federal level that people in Sabah and Sarawak cannot be taken for granted.
In line with the recent amendments to MA63 which restores the original position of Sabah and Sarawak, Warisan’s entry can be regarded as way to restore the status and equality of the two regions in Malaysia.
If the amendments had not taken place, the consequences are unimaginable.
The party has every right to make its impact in the peninsular but having said this, the party must be careful in distinguishing its friends and foes.
Its ties with PH need no elaboration.
In fact, PH is looking forward to have an electoral pact with Warisan in the coming general elections.
In fact, PH leaders are asking Warisan to join forces them to defeat UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming state by-elections in Johor.
While PH is looking at Warisan as a friend, there is no need for the party and its leaders to disturb the traditional support bases of DAP, PKR and Amanah.
Recruiting disgruntled former leaders of DAP or PKR might not do anything good for the long-term relationship of Warisan and PH component parties.
Warisan must understand that without the support of PH the constitutional amendments restoring the traditional rights of Sabah and Sarawak might not have materialised in the first place.
It was UMNO/BN who is the real cause of the misery of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
Surely, Warisan has the commitment from keeping the two regions free from the influence of UMNO/BN.
The past cannot be repeated in the two regions.
However, it is better to stop the juggernaut of UMNO/BN in the Peninsular first, and for this reason alone, Warisan leaders must have broad oversight on the political process in the country.
Long-term goals of restoring democracy and justice cannot be forsakened for short-term goals of trying to weaken the bases of potentially fraternal political parties such as DAP and PKR.
Politicians like Shafie must think and act big.
All the bad publicity of Warisan on the drive to recruit former and current DAP and PKR members is not in the long-term interest of the party.
Just as Shafie wants Peninsular politicians to be sensitive to the people in Sabah and Sarawak, he must do the same here.
PH is not Warisan’s enemy – the real enemies are all dressed up in sheepskin.
My advice: Before further damage is done to the relationship between Warisan and PH, there is urgent need for a serious dialogue.
Such a dialogue will serve to define and demarcate areas of work and prepare all the parties not just to face the state elections in Johor but to arm them for the impending general election which is just around the corner. – Jan 25, 2022
