Sabah election: Malaysia’s Muhyiddin faces key test in state poll

A defeat for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s allies in Sabah state could increase pressure for snap national polls.

Voters wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus wait for their turn at a polling station during a state election on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu, in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island [AP]

Ballot counting is under way in Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state, in a vote seen as a referendum for embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s seven-month-old unelected government.

The outcome of Saturday’s state election will not directly alter the balance of power at a national level, where Muhyiddin’s coalition commands a razor-thin majority, but serves as a key test of popularity of the prime minister some six months after taking office.

Results are expected later on Saturday.

A defeat for Muhyiddin’s allies could erode support among his coalition partners and increase pressure for snap national polls, according to Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi.

“There’s a lot at stake in these elections,” Looi said, reporting from the state capital, Kota Kinabalu.

“This is the first test for Muhyiddin  since he took power in a political coup. There are calls even within his coalition for snap elections to secure a stronger mandate. Now, a general election is not due until 2023 but the results of this vote could have an impact on when the next parliamentary election will be called.”

Adding to the stakes, Looi noted, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim declared on Wednesday that he has secured majority support in the national parliament to remove Muhyiddin and form a new government.

“Anwar’s challenge has underlined just how fragile the support for the prime minister is, even within his own coalition,” said Looi.

Malaysia has been gripped by turmoil since February, when a reformist government headed by Mahathir Mohamad, and including Anwar, collapsed amid bitter infighting.

Muhyiddin defected from the reformist government and seized power to form a new Malay-centric administration. His alliance has since taken control of many states with many legislators defecting to his camp.

The opposition now controls only Sabah and two of the country’s richest states, Selangor and Penang.

Saturday’s election in Sabah was 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.

Loose coalitions are backing the government and the opposition, but analysts say the vote is too close to call.

“A win will strengthen Muhyiddin’s position but a loss will embolden Anwar’s attempt to reclaim power,” Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, told The Associated Press news agency.

Shafie Apdal (C), president of the Sabah Heritage Party, cast his ballot at a polling station in Semporna [AFP]

Anwar, who claims to have won majority support, including from legislators in Muhyiddin’s camp, has not revealed details as he is waiting to meet Malaysia’s king, who is in hospital for treatment. The king has the power to appoint a new prime minister or dissolve parliament for early general elections.

Muhyiddin has said Anwar’s declaration is a mere allegation until he provides evidence.

High-stakes vote

Bridget Welsh, honourary research Associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia, said the election was Muhyiddin’s “first major test”.

“If he fails, he’ll be on borrowed time,” she told Al Jazeera.

“His leadership is already getting challenged from within and I think he is actually going to face a real struggle to maintain his position as prime minister. The only silver lining for him is his party may survive and that may allow him and his party to continue in politics but I think as prime minister he’s already on borrowed time and a loss will actually make it much worse for him.”

The prime minister has campaigned heavily in Sabah, pledging development, and billboards of his smiling face, dubbed “Abah” or father, are prominent in many constituencies.

In contrast, former Sabah leader Shafie Apdal urged the state’s multiple Indigenous groups to reject Muhyiddin’s Muslim government and unite behind him.

Sabah and neighbouring Sarawak on Borneo island are seen as crucial for political leverage as they hold about a quarter of parliamentary seats. The two states are rich in oil and timber but among the poorest in Malaysia. They have a greater level of autonomy in administration, immigration and judiciary.

The Sabah election is heavily contested with 447 candidates vying for 73 state seats. More than a million voters, many in rural areas, are eligible to cast their ballots.

With coronavirus cases rising in the state in recent weeks, election officials have tightened rules with health screening and other strict precautions.

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies