PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Awang Husaini Sahari has urged Sabah PKR divisional leaders to remain calm and leave it to party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resolve the leadership crisis.
He said Anwar will seek the views of all the divisional leaders to resolve the state leadership crisis after Hari Raya.
“Anwar will consult with all the divisional leaders after the Hari Raya celebrations.
“I believe Anwar will look at this turmoil from every angle. The interest of the party and the readiness of Sabah PKR to face the upcoming state election undoubtedly will be the main considerations.
“Furthermore, PKR as the dominant party in Sabah Pakatan Harapan will play a crucial role in ensuring the alliance remains relevant in Sabah, as well as the national political landscape,” he said in a statement.
According to him, the leadership crisis in Sabah had been discussed in the party central political bureau meeting held on March 24.
At present, no action will be taken and Datuk Sangkar Rasam will continue to be the party’s state chairman until a decision is made by Anwar.
However, he said it would not be conducive for Sangkar to continue to lead if indeed he has already lost the support of more than half of the 26 state divisional leaders.
“Without command and control, it will be difficult for him to make decisions, let alone provide direction to subordinates towards the direction of the political organisation he leads,” he said.
The situation will not bode well for Sabah PKR which should now be focusing on strengthening its position ahead of the Sabah election, said Awang Hussaini.
“I also urge all branch leaders and PKR Sabah members to be patient and refrain from openly engaging with the media to allow the president sufficient space to find the best solution to the Sabah leadership crisis.
“Whatever the president's decision, PKR members need to be open-minded and united for the party's interests. The 17th Sabah PRN is approaching, and we cannot afford to be divided,” he said.
Sabah PKR has been marred by an internal leadership crisis when 15 divisional leaders withdrew their support towards Sangkar and demanded he step down as the state chairman.
Sangkar had refused to resign. – The Vibes, March 29, 2024
