Sarawak BN’s strategy of running ‘direct candidates’ in seats coveted by allies will benefit the splinter parties but at a cost to the coalition’s original members, say analysts.

BN chief Adenan Satem’s formula may put a bigger dent into Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) than Sarawak Democratic Progressive Party (SPDP), but their splinter parties, respectively - United People’s Party (UPP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) - stand to gain from it.

The move may even benefit DAP, a long time political rival of SUPP in Chinese-majority seats, but would not affect the outcome of SPDP-Teras tussle in Dayak-majority seats.