Analysts say Warisan will likely compete mostly for seats held by DAP and PKR since it will be hard for it to penetrate Malay-majority constituencies.
Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said Warisan would be, in relation to DAP and PKR, like Bersatu was now in relation to Umno.
“Malays uncomfortable with Umno for being too racial, with PAS for being too religious and with PKR for being too liberal would go for Bersatu,” he said.
“Similarly, voters uncomfortable with PKR for being too opportunistic and DAP for being too Chinese but still cannot bring themselves to vote for the other side, may perhaps go to Warisan.”
Romzi Ationg of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said Warisan’s aim to go for mixed and non-Muslim-majority seats would put it “on a collision course with DAP and PKR, as well as MIC and MCA”.
Warisan launched its Peninsular Malaysia chapter yesterday with Shafie Apdal as its choice for prime minister. The party president said he would be “the prime minister for all”.
Oh, referring to Shafie’s statement that Warisan was “here to build the nation”, said the party might face a problem in trying to tackle the Malay heartland because Muda and Pejuang, the two outfits observers say are likely to be its partners on the peninsula, were having trouble breaking the dominance enjoyed by Umno, Bersatu and PAS.
“It’s an ambitious plan and will be a test of national integration,” he said. “There has never been a substantial expansion of a Borneo-based party into the peninsula and making a significant impact on national politics.
“If Warisan can make it, it will imply that the country has truly integrated and that Malaysians are mutually accepting of both the east and west.”
Romzi said Warisan’s expansion could be seen as a strategy to consolidate opportunities at the federal level, but he added that it could backfire in Sabah.
“The expansion will not necessarily contribute to Warisan’s influence in Malaysian politics but may weaken its influence at state level,” he said.
“The party leaders need to work hard to convince supporters in Sabah and the rest of the country that the expansion is necessary for Malaysians, especially Sabahans.”
Another analyst, Lee Kuok Tiung, said Warisan would find it tough to mount any significant challenge across the pond even with support from Muda and Pejuang.
“Even Bersatu found it challenging to compete with Umno and PKR,” he said. “It will be more difficult for Warisan to find a place in the peninsula.
“I really cannot see which seats Warisan can go for. I guess the only ones it can contest are those held by Muda and Pejuang if all of them can seal a collaboration.”