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MALAYSIA-POLITICS-SABAH
Malaysian PM faces major test in state polls
SEMPORNA, Malaysia, Sept 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Malaysia’s embattled leader
faces state elections Saturday that are his biggest political test since
taking office, with analysts saying he desperately needs a win to strengthen
his tenuous hold on power.
A defeat for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s allies in Sabah state on
Borneo will erode support among his seven-month-old government’s coalition
partners, increasing pressure for snap national polls, observers warn.
Adding to his problems, the election comes just days after opposition
leader Anwar Ibrahim launched a bid to topple his administration, claiming he
had mustered enough support from MPs to take over.
Malaysia has been gripped by political turmoil since the collapse in
February of a reformist government, which was headed by Mahathir Mohamad and
included Anwar, amid bitter infighting.
Muhyiddin seized power without an election and leads a coalition backed by
a scandal-plagued party, but his administration has only a wafer-thin
majority in parliament and critics say it is illegitimate.
The Sabah elections were called after a Muhyiddin ally launched a bid to
take over the opposition-controlled local government. But rather than cede
power, the chief minister dissolved the state assembly.
About 1.1 million people are eligible to vote for 73 assembly seats in the
state on the northeastern tip of jungle-clad Borneo island, which is home to
a dizzying array of indigenous groups.
Loose coalitions are backing the government and the opposition, but
analysts say the vote is too close to call. Results are expected late
Saturday.
The outcome will not directly affect the balance of power at the national
level, but it is a key test of Muhyiddin’s popularity.
Despite taking power without a democratic vote, he has won praise for his
government’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak, and received a 69 percent
approval rating in a recent survey.
“He needs a win to show… that the high popularity he enjoys can be
translated into votes on the ground,” Ibrahim Suffian, head of independent
polling firm Merdeka Center, told AFP.
“If he loses badly, then the government could potentially collapse.”
Muhyiddin has faced pressure from his allies to call a general election
soon to secure a stronger mandate, but some observers believe he wants to
delay as long as possible.
That, however, may become difficult if he fares badly in Sabah.
Anwar’s power play has added to pressure on Muhyiddin but does not appear
to have gained traction for now.
He has refused to reveal the number of MPs backing him while the king, who
appoints the country’s premier, has postponed an appointment to see him due
to ill health.
BSS/AFP/SSS/0835 hrs