Analysts say patchy outcomes for smaller parties in the recent Sabah polls show voters prefer large local coalitions such as GRS or more established parties such as Warisan.
00:00Two analysts have suggested that APCO, Parti Kesejahteraan Democratic Masyarakat, and Parti Solidarity Tanah Airku,
00:07join a large alliance to bolster their standing in Sabah's shifting political landscape.
00:12Akademi Nusantara's Azmi Hassan said Sabahans ultimately gravitated towards bigger platforms and more established entities in the just-concluded state election,
00:22despite the fact that three parties also campaigned along strong, local-centric narratives.
00:27Last weekend, APCO won three seats in the polls, while Star grabbed two and KDM won.
00:34Lee Kok-teung of University Malaysia Sabah said APCO's performance would have been a lot more dismal if it had contested under the PH banner,
00:42crediting the party for taking heed of the rising sentiments in favor of local parties.
00:48He said Star would have undoubtedly fared better at the polls if it had stuck with Gabongan Rakyat Sabah instead of pulling out last month.
00:56This move, he believed, hurt its chances as Kadazan Dusun Murud's support was divided.
01:02On the other hand, while KDM's haul of one seat was not the worst possible outcome,
01:07Lee said the party's prospects remain uncertain and require some reflection on where it is heading.
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