Sabah PH chairmanship belongs to PKR, says party leader
PETALING JAYA: A Sabah PKR leader is maintaining that the state chairmanship of Pakatan Harapan (PH) rightfully belongs to the party, arguing that it is in accordance with a formula that was previously agreed upon and upheld by the party's components.
A PKR leader who requested anonymity said that the post should not have been contested to begin with, mentioning that the earlier election this month is the first since the formation of Sabah PH in 2017.
It was previously customary for the Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu (PH) component parties, particularly PKR, DAP, Upko and Amanah, to name a PKR leader as the head of state chapter of the coalition, so the source revealed.
There is an understanding that if Sabah is led by PKR, the new chairperson should also be from the same party, a source informed FMT.
"We are seeking clarification on the situation because the leadership structure in Sabah for PH is primarily based on the state's division between the parties," the source explained.
The source alleged that the Sabah PH election was a move to marginalize PKR.
Liew was removed as Sabah PH chairman, a position she held since 2017, after losing to Upko president Ewon Benedick by a margin of three votes on December 1.
However, there is speculation that Liew may consider another stint as the state chapter leader.
In a Friday appointment, Api Api assemblyman was revealed to be considering a motion to reinstate her as Sabah PH's chairperson, with consultative meetings reportedly being conducted with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and council members from the state leadership.
Sabah Pakatan Harapan Youth has requested that the coalition's constituent parties respect the results of the election.
‘Not a puppet’
The source further alleged that Upko and DAP made "very hard" efforts to remove Liew.
“They wanted Liew gone because he cannot be controlled easily. He is not pliable, making it challenging for them.”
Sabah DAP deputy chief Chan Foong Hin reiterates the significance of adhering to democratic principles.
In conducting every general election, each political party should adhere to and respect the democratic system, no matter the outcome of the election.
Mohd Ansari, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kota Kinabalu, called on the coalition members to shift their focus to the future, rather than being bogged down by internal conflicts and leadership changes.
It is now the right time for us to shift our focus and start making arrangements for the upcoming state elections.
"We can't afford time-wasting disagreements among ourselves, there's still much critical work to be done," the Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities said.
