KOTA KINABALU: If there is one thing local political analysts can point out as interesting ahead of the upcoming Sabah state election, it will be the debate on Parti Bersatu Sabah's (PBS) political clout.
After 16 years, the local-based party will return to contest under its banner - the last being in 1994 before it rejoined the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in 2002 until the fall of the coalition in 14th General Election (GE14).
Founded by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in 1985, PBS became the strongest local party and formed the state government up to 1994.
However, seeing PBS performance in the previous election and the emergence of stronger local parties, it begs a question whether PBS is capable of returning to its glory days.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) academician Dr Lee Kuok Tiung opined PBS today was not as the same as before as it was sometimes seen as failing to translate its struggles into a more marketable context in line with the current political landscape.
"PBS still adheres to the principles and original struggles, but almost all of their agendas have either been hijacked or copied by other parties, especially on the rights of Sabah and Malaysian Agreement 1963," he told New Straits Times.
He said there were PBS leaders who were imprisoned under the Internal Security Act for championing Sabah rights - Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who now leads the party and former member Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who now leads Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star).
Expressing his view of the past and current PBS, Lee said the party was still home to leaders with a degree of calibre like party vice-president Datuk Johnny Mositun, incumbent Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, and incumbent Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Jahid Jahim, among others.
"They are always loud in voicing out their stand and views on the issues of interest to the people of Sabah and state rights, which can always be seen in the mass media as well.
"PBS indeed needs more new young leaders, but it is also necessary to consider the Sabah demography which has changed due to politics," he said, adding the party needs to produce more Chinese as well as Muslim leaders and increase its visibility.
To a question whether the party can emerge stronger than other local-based parties and create change, Lee, who specialised in political communication, said PBS had already begun to make a change by flying its flag.
PBS's key to success, he said, would depend on cooperation with its allies and focus in selecting candidates which should be factored on winnability rather than favouritism.
Meanwhile, ethnopolitics expert Dr Romzi Ationg of UMS viewed PBS's ideology as still relevant but the present leadership seemed to be unable to entice voters for support.
"This is due to several factors such as the tendency of its leaders to focus more on their interest rather than the people, as well as the electorate's growing interest to see more new blood running for seats," he said.
While noting PBS could rise again, the senior lecturer also pointed out such aspiration would require the people's support.
"Selection of winnable candidate is crucial. The other local parties have their X-factor, thus can play a significant role in the state election.
"The voters are generally viewing other (new) parties as alternatives and hoping to see them able to make some impact on Sabah politics," said Romzi.
Yesterday, PBS said it would use its logo to contest in 30 seats and was in the process of finalising its list of candidates comprising mostly of new faces.
The 35-year-old party had said its target was reasonable, realistic and practical while stressing the potential to win all of the seats based on its current strength.