EMBATTLED PM: Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been struggling to maintain support amid infighting in his coalition that has just a slim two-seat majority.
Polls yesterday opened in Malaysia鈥檚 eastern Sabah state in a vote seen as a referendum for embattled Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin鈥檚 seven-month-old unelected government.
The leader of the opposition-ruled state dissolved the assembly on July 30 to seek early elections and thwart attempts by Muhyiddin鈥檚 ruling alliance to take over Sabah through lawmakers鈥 defections.
The stakes are high for Muhyiddin after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday said that he has secured majority support in the Malaysian parliament.
鈥淭his is the first state-wide election since the creation of Muhyiddin鈥檚 government in March. In a way, it is an indirect referendum on whether the people are happy with the formation of the backdoor government,鈥 University of Tasmania Asian studies professor James Chin said.
Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo hold about one-quarter of the parliamentary seats and are seen as crucial for political leverage.
The two states 鈥 which are rich in oil and timber, but among the poorest in Malaysia 鈥 have a greater level of autonomy in administration, immigration and judiciary.
The attempted takeover of Sabah was reminiscent of how Muhyiddin took power in March after defecting from the reformist government to form a new Malay-centric administration.
Muhyiddin鈥檚 alliance has since taken control of many states after lawmakers defected.
The opposition now controls only Sabah and two of the country鈥檚 richest states, Selangor and Penang.
However, Muhyiddin has been struggling to maintain support amid infighting in his coalition that has just a slim two-seat majority.
His leadership is in further doubt after Anwar claimed to have won majority support, including from lawmakers in Muhyiddin鈥檚 camp.
Anwar has not revealed details, as he is waiting to meet with Malaysia鈥檚 king, who is receiving treatment in a hospital, because the king has the power to appoint a new prime minister or dissolve the parliament for early general elections.
Muhyiddin has said that Anwar鈥檚 declaration was a mere allegation until he provides evidence.
Muhyiddin has campaigned heavily in Sabah, pledging development. Billboards of his smiling face dubbed 鈥淎bah,鈥 or father, are prominent in many constituencies.
By contrast, former Sabah leader Shafie Apdal urged the state鈥檚 multiple Aboriginal communities to reject Muhyiddin鈥檚 Muslim government and unite behind him.
鈥淎 win will strengthen Muhyiddin鈥檚 position but a loss will embolden Anwar鈥檚 attempt to reclaim power,鈥 Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun said.
The Sabah election is heavily contested, with 447 candidates vying for 73 state seats, and more than 1 million eligible voters.
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