Kuala Lumpur: PKR Vice President Awang Husaini Sahari said party President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will decide the fate of its Sabah chapter’s leadership after Hari Raya.
He said the Prime Minister would consult all 26 division chiefs to discuss the best formula to patch the internal relationship in Sabah.
“The issue involving the position of the Sabah Chairman was raised at a central bureau meeting last Sunday.
“No action has been taken yet and Datuk Sangkar retains the position,” he said in a statement.
SPONSORED CONTENT Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year. Read more On 18 March, 15 PKR Sabah division chiefs rebelled using statutory declarations demanding Sangkar step down.
“Constitutionally, Sangkar is still the Chairman but even so, if the 15 rebels are consistent then Sangkar is in a bad situation for leading as the numbers are a majority.
“Without command and control it will be hard for him to direct subordinates on bigger political goals,” he said.
Awang who is Putatan PKR Chief reminded that the next state elections could happen anytime before September 2025.
“The organisation must be solid as it is the first time with Anwar as President. Partnering with other parties or not, winning is our moral obligation to him.
“I am sure he would look at this from all angles as Sabah Pakatan Harapan has played an important role to ensure PH remains relevant,” he said.
“The 17th Sabah state election is approaching, and we cannot afford to be divided,” he said.
On March 18, 15 of the state’s 26 division chiefs, including Kota Belud division head Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (Deputy Higher Education Minister), Api Api division chief Datuk Christina Liew (Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister) and Sepanggar division chief Peto Galim (state Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Minister) demanded that Sangkar step down.
They also signed statutory declarations stating that they had lost confidence in his leadership.
Sangkar had maintained that he would not resign and rallied support from some of the party’s key leaders in the state.
Awang Husaini said the appointment of the Sabah PKR chairman in 2022 was done on the prerogative of the president after consulting state division chiefs.
As such, he said, affidavits cannot be used to challenge the legitimacy of Sangkar’s appointment.
“(They) cannot just remove Sangkar... as Sabah PKR chairman,” he added.
“Winning the Sabah election, whether Pakatan contests alone or cooperates with other parties, is not only the main goal, but a victory would be an endorsement of the federal leadership under Anwar,” he said.
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