SABAH PKR is in a state of quiet turmoil, with more than half of its 25 divisional chiefs expressing dissatisfaction over what they describe as the dominance of the party’s central leadership and the imposition of “parachute candidates” for the upcoming 17th state election.
At the heart of the discontent is a growing belief that the campaign machinery in Sabah has been hijacked by party leaders from Kuala Lumpur, a move that many see as a denial of the state’s political autonomy.
According to several party sources, 17 divisional chiefs and deputies convened a closed-door meeting in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday night to air frustrations over the central leadership’s decision to sideline Sabah’s own electoral team.
The meeting, which began at 8.30pm and lasted nearly three hours, ended with no resolution but a shared sense of resentment.
“If parachutes get the seats, don’t expect our jentera (machinery) to move. There will be protests,” said one divisional chief who attended the meeting.
Clash over control
Sabah PKR’s election team, led by state secretary Peto Galim, is said to have been effectively replaced by a central team headed by PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar and party secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Both were appointed by party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to oversee state-level coordination.
Central intervention has sparked anger among local leaders, who argue that decisions about candidates and strategy should be made by those on the ground.
The controversy deepened after a purported candidate list, believed to have been leaked by an insider, went viral on social media.
Among the names circulated were former Tenom assemblyman Jamawi Jaafar, ex-Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi, and former Sipitang MP Yamani Hafez Musa, son of Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman.
Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud has been also accused of keeping silent as the state’s leadership structure is overridden by the central election committee.
Some division heads believe Anwar himself may not be fully aware of the growing discontent, alleging that reports to him have been filtered by his top lieutenants.
The tension comes as Pakatan Harapan finalises its seat negotiations with Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Meanwhile, PKR election co-director Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the party has yet to finalise its candidate list for the upcoming Sabah polls.
He said seat negotiations were still in their final phase, with the process of matching candidates to constituencies ongoing.
Saifuddin explained that PKR traditionally gathers a pool of names from various party level, central, state, and branch, before making final selections.
He stressed that until official letters of intent are issued, no one should assume who the confirmed candidates are.
His remarks come amid allegations of the “parachute candidates” being fielded.
Saifuddin has described the allegations as premature and speculative.
Sabah PKR Youth chief Zaidi Jatil had also moved to downplay talk of a brewing revolt within the party, insisting Sabah PKR remains stable and united ahead of the state election.
He said reports of discord among divisional chiefs over “parachute candidates” were misleading and taken out of context.
The recent meeting of local leaders, Zaidi said, was a routine consultation held in a spirit of camaraderie and open dialogue.
He stressed that the voices of grassroots chiefs would continue to be respected in candidate selection.
Zaidi added that Sabah PKR remains firmly behind the party president’s reformist agenda and Madani principles.
The Election Commission is set to meet on October 16 to fix nomination and polling dates, marking the start of what could be one of Sabah PKR’s most testing campaigns yet. - October 12, 2025
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