SABAH Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is grappling with yet another internal crisis as 15 division chiefs called for its chairman Datuk Sangkar Rasam to step down for allegedly failing to effectively lead the party.
The discontent within the party ranks reached boiling point yesterday when they staged a walkout at a state leadership meeting after questioning his leadership since July last year.
The 15 divisional chiefs who were also members of the state leadership council were Sazalye Donol (Kota Marudu), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (Kota Belud), Datuk Christina Liew (Kota Kinabalu), Peto Galim (Sepanggar), 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 Remigius (Batu Sapi) and Amin Mem (Semporna).
Speaking on behalf of the group, Sazalye (Kota Marudu) accused Rasam of neglecting crucial party-building activities such as communication and leadership training, public speaking exercises, and election preparations.
"What he has done so far was only organising events to welcome visiting leaders from the federal level to Sabah," said Donol, adding that the other divisional chiefs had taken a neutral stance on the matter.
Donol said the dissatisfaction with Rasam's leadership has been lingering for over a year after he was appointed in 2022, prompting all 15 of them to draw up statutory declarations (SDs) in July last year.
While PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has not been formally notified of the matter, Donol believes he (Anwar) might already be aware of the matter as the SDs were already handed to his political secretary.
According to him, they had also allowed Rasam to shape up but drew the line at yesterday’s state PKR leadership council meeting where they staged a walkout after highlighting his failures at the meeting.
Donol disclosed that they had proposed a replacement for Rasam but declined to disclose the candidate.
However, he did not rule out the possibility of prominent party members, including Sepanggar MP and Kota Belud chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmut; Api-Api assemblyman and former Sabah PKR chief Datuk Christina Liew; and Inanam Assemblyman and Sepanggar chief Peto Galim, stepping into leadership roles.
This is not the first time Sabah PKR has faced a leadership crisis. Two years ago, 17 division leaders had called for the removal of then Sabah PKR chairman Christina Liew.
However, Liew remained in her position until the party elections in 2022, as the appointment of the state chairman falls under the authority of the party president, who takes advice from elected divisional chiefs.
When questioned about the potential conflict with Anwar's decisions, Donol emphasised that their actions were not intended to challenge the president's authority but to ensure the party's welfare.
With the state election in 2025, Sabah PKR faces critical challenges that demand strong leadership and unity, he said.
When asked if former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman or former foreign minister Tan Sri Anifah Aman could be appointed to the position, he said they would not oppose any choice made by the party president. – The Vibes, March 18, 2024
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