KOTA KINABALU: Local political analysts are of the view that Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) should remain a Sabah-based party, instead of spreading its wing's to the rest of the country.
They believed that any move to change its current position would see the party, which was established in 2016, being perceived as without principles.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) academician Dr Romzi Ationg said this was because the key political view and slogan of Warisan has always been "Sabah for Sabahans".
He said turning Warisan into a national party would prove unpopular among Sabahans, as well as among West Malaysians who may not be keen on a East Malaysian-based party.
"Warisan must think twice before making any such move. Also, the idea of appointing a Sabahan as Prime Minister does not necessarily require Warisan to be a national party, but rather it would require the support from Malaysians as a whole," he told New Straits Times, today.
Recently, Warisan permanent chairman Datuk Liew Vui Keong said the four year old party should consider taking in lawmakers from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) who turned independent, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
To do this, Liew said Warisan would have to revise its constitution to make the party as Parti Warisan Malaysia to reflect its broader political scope and ambition.
On Friday, party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said any move to transform Warisan into a national party would need to be discussed thoroughly with Warisan's supreme council members.
"I don't think Warisan is in a dire need to become a national party. Though the party has the chance to do so by now. Consolidating its political support in Sabah must be its utmost focus," stressed Romzi.
He also said majority of Sabahans are no longer in favour of Mahathir, opining that the admission of the former prime minister into Warisan would instead hurt the party.
UMS senior lecturer Dr Lee Kuok Tiung said many Sabahans would view Warisan leaders as having no principles should the decide to change their party's constitution just to make way for Dr Mahathir.
He noted that leaders such as Darell Leiking, who is Warisan deputy president and Penampang MP, had previously quit PKR with reason of wanting to form a local based party to fight for the rights of Sabahans.
Lee, however, said Warisan needs to study the market first if it ever decides to establish branches in other states.
"In the peninsula, they already have so many parties that are much stronger than Warisan. This is not like Unduk Ngadau (Beauty Pageant), where you want to give room for candidates (from peninsula to contest).
"What's the purpose or objective to have branches in Peninsular or maybe Sarawak after this? To cater the Sabahans in Peninsular?," he posed.
When asked whether he thinks prominent figures such as Dr Mahathir would consider joining Warisan, Lee believes that the 95-year-old is aware of his advanced age and his ambition, and would be unlikely to start a new big project unless he is desperate.
"He has so many alternatives in Peninsular, and he does not necessarily have to look to East Malaysia. I am pretty sure he knows his priority. But anyway, nothing is impossible," he said.