Anwar to resolve Sabah PKR turmoil after Raya
KOTAKINABALU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will resolve the internal crisis in Sabah PKR after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, says PKR vice-president Awang Husaini Sahari.
He said the party’s political bureau discussed the revolt by 15 of 26 Sabah PKR division chiefs against its state chairman, Datuk Dr Sangkar Rasam, in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
“Sangkar remains Sabah PKR chairman. Anwar will come to Sabah to discuss the best solutions to overcome the current crisis facing the party in the state,” said the PKR Putatan division head in a statement on Friday.
On March 18, the 15 division chiefs including Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (Kota Belud), Datuk Christina Liew (Api Api) and Peto Galim (Sepanggar) demanded that Sangkar step down and signed statutory declarations stating that they had lost confidence in his leadership.
The other 12 division leaders are Sazalye Donol Abdullah (Kota Marudu), Razeef Rakimin (Tuaran), Raymond Ahuar (Pensiangan), Wendey Agong (Sipitang), Dikin Musah (Beaufort), Basran Omar (Beluran), Azmi Tambuyong (Kinabatangan), Roslee Malek (Papar), Awang Chuchu (Kimanis), Roslan Sapar (Kalabakan), Aris Remigus (Batu Sapi) and Amin Mem (Semporna).
Amin has since denied involvement.
Sangkar later refuted allegations on his leadership and declared his position, which he has held since 2022, remains legitimate according to the PKR constitution, which allows him to continue leading the party in Sabah.
Awang Husaini said according to the constitution, the appointment of the state chairman is the prerogative of the party president after discussing with all the state division chiefs.
Therefore he said the statutory declarations (SDs) signed by 15 division chiefs cannot challenge the position of Sangkar.
“The division chiefs’ rejection of this appointment either through the SD or roundtable is not able to challenge the legitimacy of the chairman who has been appointed by the president.
“In other words, without the latest action from the party president, Sangkar’s position as chairman is not affected by any form of movement he faces.
“Nevertheless, if the 15 SDs by the division chiefs are authentic and consistent, it is not good for Sangkar to continue leading the state PKR,” he said.
However, he said with more than half the division leaders in the state going against the chairman, it would have serious implications for his ability to steer the party effectively through the coming Sabah state election.
“Without command and control of the leadership, it is certainly difficult for him to make decisions based on consensus, not to mention to give instructions to subordinates on the direction of the party,” he added.
“Sabah will face a state election anytime before September 2025 and the state leadership council (MPN) needs to be strengthened to the optimum level.
“This state election is the first since Pakatan Harapan (PH) led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took over the federal government in November 2022.
“I am sure the party president will examine this unrest from every angle. The importance of the party and Sabah PKR’s preparation in facing the state election will certainly be the main consideration.
“Furthermore, PKR as the party that leads Sabah PH will play a very important role to ensure that PH remains relevant in the political currents of Sabah and the country,” he added.
Awang Husaini in his statement also called on the division chiefs and all Sabah PKR members to be patient and avoid media involvement openly to give the president enough space to find the best formula to resolve the Sabah state leadership turmoil.