Shafie Apdal’s Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) is vying to play a pivotal role in the anti-BN bloc come GE14, and Warisan’s office-bearers announced on Monday show how the Sabah east coast strongman is trying to cover his bases in a bid to turn BN’s fortress there to rubble.

According to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak political scientist Arnold Puyok, the line-up shows an obvious play to attract the different voting blocs in the multilayered and multifaceted Sabah politics.

For example, roping in former PKR vice-president Darell Leiking and Peter Anthony is a strategic move to attract Kadazandusun support.

Leiking, a first time MP, toppled Kadazandusun stalwart Bernard Dompok in the 2013 general election to win the Kadazandusun heartland seat of Penampang, while Peter is Kadazan Dusun Murut Malaysia Association president.

However, Puyok, whose area of focus is Sabah politics, believes this strategy may be lacking.

Leiking’s support base, he said, is concentrated only in the Penampang and Kota Kinabalu areas, and mostly among young, urban voters.

“The Kadazandusun are still generally divided - they are everywhere in the ruling and opposition parties,” Puyok (photo) told Malaysiakini.

Despite his position in the KDM Malaysia, Peter is also a “greenhorn” in Sabah politics and is unlikely to wield much influence for Warisan’s benefit, he said.

Umno challenge to be seen

Shafie, who is Semporna MP, and his right hand man Sulabayan assemblyperson Jaujan Sambakong would be the point men in the eastern region, but their ability to turn the tides against Umno there remains to be seen.

To date, there has not been a continuous stream of Umno members from the eastern regions quitting the party to back Shafie, leaving Umno clearly unperturbed.

The sole Chinese representative, Junz Wong, is also a newbie in politics.

“Junz (Wong) and Jaujan are in the lineup by virtue of their pioneering role in Warisan,” Puyok said.

Elected as Likas assemblyperson on the DAP ticket, Wong is unlikely to be able to commandeer support on his own steam.

This is just as well, as DAP, which is the most successful opposition party in Sabah since PBS joined ranks with BN, has offered an olive branch to Warisan for stealing its assemblyperson, and is willing to work together.

“Apart from being the BN, PKR and DAP deserters, the Warisan leadership does not have the ‘X factor’ to galvanise support from Sabahans - I have not seen it yet,” Puyok said.

Opposition’s Achilles’ heel

What Warisan has going for it is its Sabah focus.

Sabah, where 21 of 25 MPs are from BN, remains the opposition’s Achilles’ heel.

Pakatan Rakyat’s failure to move a ‘by locals for locals’ statewide campaign in 2013 is among crucial factors for its defeat in GE13.

Not much has changed since 2013, but Warisan can make a difference.

“Pakatan Rakyat did not have a solid policy alternative for Sabah. Sabah Pakatan lacked leadership and direction as far as the Sabah issues are concerned.

“Can Warisan make a difference? Yes, most Sabahans want the Sabah issues to be addressed urgently and this explains why regional sentiments are still strong,” Puyok said.

Yet, even this has a caveat.

The crux is whether Warisan, with its allies, can formulate a solid framework to convince Sabahans that it is not just a bunch of rag-tags out to topple BN.

“Many are asking, ‘What solutions can these opposition parties offer for a better Sabah?’” Puyok said.

Hudud stand telling

It is perhaps too soon to ask for a framework - the party is barely a week old and actual alliances have yet to be forged.

But yesterday, Warisan president Shafie Apdal was asked if Warisan will vote for or against the hudud - the first decision it has to make as a party.

While he was unequivocal on his stand against PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill to amend Act 355, his reply on Warisan’s stand seems telling.

Reporter: You have two MPs in Parliament. What is your take on Act 355?

Shafie: Well, we have to address the need and requirement for the people in Sabah. Our stand is quite clear on that.

Reporter: What is the stand?

Shafie: Just like Sarawak’s stand.

Time will tell if Warisan will formulate its own stand on matters of concern to Sabahans. Unfortunately for Warisan, there is not very much time left. Alarm bells for GE14 are already ringing.