00:00UMNO should tread carefully and not be dismissive of the Sabah for Sabahan slogan,
00:05say two political analysts as the sentiment is genuine and growing across the state.
00:10Political analyst Romzi Ationg of University Malaysia Sabah said,
00:14there is a prevailing desire among voters for Sabah to be led by local parties and leaders,
00:19and UMNO risk alienating the voters if it maintains its dismissive stance.
00:24Romzi said UMNO must adjust its approach and dance along with the sentiment at the moment,
00:28aligning with the political realities on the ground.
00:32Earlier, Sabah UMNO chief Bung Mokhtar Radin had described Sabah for Sabahan as being political bait
00:38and questioned the sincerity of parties that claim to champion Sabah's rights, yet remain divided among themselves.
00:45Fellow UMS political analyst Shahruddin Awang Ahmad also said Sabah UMNO's effort to position itself as a local party by claiming autonomy
00:54may backfire if voters see it as mere political maneuvering.
00:57He said even if Sabah UMNO enjoys some flexibility in candidate selection,
01:03the state party and Barisan Nacional would remain aligned with the party's national leadership.
01:08Panyu Jo, FMT.
Comments