James Chin says Sabahans are more willing to accept the participation of peninsula-based parties at state elections since they possess greater resources.
00:00An analyst said Barisan National has historically done well in Sabah because voters tend to lean towards well-founded and well-funded personalities rather than party affiliations.
00:14University of Tasmania professor James Shin said this is unlike in Sarawak, where voters prioritize local parties over candidates.
00:23He said politicians with charisma and strong financial backing will have little difficulty winning over Sabah voters, citing UMNO Sabah chief Bongbuktar Radin as an example.
00:36He said Sabah voters were willing to overlook any reservations they may have to accept peninsula-based parties like UMNO since they possess more resources.
00:45Chin was responding to a statement by former Sabah chief minister Saleh Sa'i Kerak that the state cannot follow Sarawak's lead and shut out national parties from its upcoming state elections.
00:59Awang Asman Pawi of University Malaya said Saleh appeared to be reminding voters that unlike Sarawak, Sabah is prepared to accept peninsula-based parties.
01:09He said Saleh's remarks are a subtle attempt to prepare Sabahans for a BN Pakatan Harapan alliance at the state polls.
