Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said that the BN brand has become outdated and requires transformation through collaboration with other parties to succeed in the polls.

“The current political trend is towards coalition-based transformation. Therefore, BN cannot afford to go solo, whether in the state election or the general election in Sabah.

“It can be said that BN itself is outdated and Sabahans are looking for political alliances to be reorganised. So, BN must consider a new coalition formula,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin said that the coalition is prepared to contest solo in the upcoming state polls if it cannot reach an agreement with other parties to cooperate.

He said Sabah BN and Umno are not deterred and have mobilised their election machinery in preparation for the polls.

At present, the coalition consists of only four parties: Umno, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), MCA, and MIC.

Tony Paridi Bagang of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sabah believes that multi-cornered contests in the state polls would showcase Sabah’s thriving democracy.

He also predicted that other parties might also choose to contest solo, not just BN.

“The state election next year is expected to feature fierce competition and unique dynamics if each political bloc goes solo,” he said, adding that the strengths of each coalition and local party would be evaluated during this time.

“The fluidity of Sabah’s political landscape may allow each coalition to assert dominance in its own strongholds. Democratically, going solo gives each party or coalition the chance to test its strength independently.”