Some said that something is going to happen in the political arena within the next few days as the “great plan” of Pakatan Rakyat may be implemented. Meanwhile, rumours about party-switching could be heard everywhere.

Sabah BN leaders have shown up one after another, making people wonder whether the rumours are true.

From Kimanis MP Datuk Anifah Aman, Kalabakan MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan to Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, who represented different ethnic groups and it was quite impossible for them to have a common view in the past, said something virtually the same recently.

They accused that the BN government has neglected the development of Sabah and Sabah people should get more benefits. Then, they purposely made it ambiguous and said “it depends on the people's decision” whether they are going to switch party.

Only they will know the weight of the people's decision. However, it seems perfectly justifiable to say the word “people”.

The ruling framework of BN in Sabah is based on territory distribution and each member party of the coalition is in charge of their respective territory. They try to please the coalition's central management in an attempt to expand their territory.

This used to be a very effective strategy in the past, despite there were fierce internal struggle in Sabah Umno and among other member parties, but externally, they have to behave themselves to please the central management.

However, their attitude changed as their values increased with 24 parliamentary seats in their hands after the general elections. This time, they turned hostility into friendship. Together, they showed their strength to the central management. There are two possibilities.

One of the possibilities is, member parties in Sabah including Sabah Umno, PBRS and SAPP have no intention to join Pakatan Rakyat but they just want to take the advantage to ask for benefits from the central management by using Pakatan Rakyat as a pretext.

Another possibility would be these member parties want to see whether BN or Pakatan Rakyat can give them more benefits and at the same time, they are observing the future of BN, as well as the possibility of Pakatan Rakyat ruling the country.

Sabah BN politicians know well that Pakatan Rakyat will not be able to take the federal regime as long as they make no move. However, if they move but without the cooperation from Sarawak member parties and other BN members, Pakatan Rakyat too will not succeed. Then, its back to square one.(By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)