KUCHING: The formation of the Bornean Alliance will not have much of an effect on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the 15th general election (GE15) if GPS maintains its momentum from the recent state election, fulfils its promises, and continues to serve.
Political analyst Prof Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman said the Bornean Alliance – which Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Parti Warisan Sabah (WARISAN) plan to form to face GE15 – would instead have an impact on the ruling party in Sabah.
“GPS’ momentum now is good and it can be seen through the seriousness of GPS leaders with regard to development matters.
“If this momentum is brought to GE15, it would be quite difficult for the Bornean Alliance to gain a foothold and spread its wings in Sarawak,” he said when contacted on Thursday for his views on alliance.
However, he said the Bornean Alliance might have some effect in Sabah as the situation there was not as stable as in Sarawak.
“Comparing Sabah and Sarawak, I believe that this coalition will be more of an advantage to Sabah during the coming GE15,” he said.
Fadzil also noted that PSB had previously tried to cooperate with other parties at the state level such as Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) during the 12th Sarawak state election (PRN12), but to no avail.
He said that on paper, the formation of the Bornean Alliance might be good, but there were many more aspects which needed to be considered.
“PSB tried to establish relationships at the state level before, but it did not materialise. There are many aspects which need to be considered by both of these parties before announcing a more established party.
“Perhaps later on, differences of opinion and so on will result in this coalition being quite fragile,” he said.
Earlier, PSB presidential council member Baru Bian said he had discussed plans to form the Bornean Alliance through several meetings with WARISAN president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
Baru said it was important to have such an alliance so that the people of Sarawak and Sabah would together ensure their rights were taken seriously, such as the devolution of powers to both states.
