KOTA KINABALU – Sabah PKR’s divisional chiefs no longer fear being sacked from their positions for refusing to attend the party’s state leaders council meeting today as a protest against Datuk Christina Liew’s performance as chairperson of the state party.
Simsudin Sidek, chairman of Sabah PKR divisional chiefs’ secretariat, said this in announcing that a total of 16 divisional chiefs did not attend the meeting to show their disapproval of Liew’s leadership.
The dissenting members included himself and the heads of the women, youth, and Srikandi (young women) wings.
“This is a form of protest to reject Datuk Christina Liew as the chairperson of Sabah PKR,” he said in a statement today.
“I was also informed that the meeting did not have a sufficient quorum of attendees, but it was still continued by adding several individuals who were immediately appointed,” he alleged.
“This showed that Liew is desperate,” Simsudin said in a statement today, claiming that he has proof of the attendees of the meeting.
He also said that the party’s Kota Belud division chief Mustapha Sakmud has been removed as deputy chairman of the state party.
“This could be due to Mustapha failing to help Liew get the majority support of Sabah PKR divisional chiefs,” he claimed.
Simsudin, who is PKR Labuan division chief, said the secretariat was supposed to meet with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about 20 days back but Anwar cancelled his trip to the state due to the floods in Peninsular Malaysia.
He urged Anwar, who is also the parliamentary opposition leader, to solve the conflict as soon as possible before the party’s election takes place soon.
“This demand is not new; it started four years ago. In fact, the secretariat was formed over a year ago to reject Liew’s leadership. This conflict is not benefitting anyone in the party; instead, it is breaking us apart,” he added.
Last month, Liew’s position as state party leader was shaken when 16 state PKR divisional chiefs and six other party leaders openly called for her to be replaced.
The chiefs included Datuk Dr Sangkar Rasam (Keningau), Sazalye Donol (Kota Marudu), Simsudin, Dausil Kundayong (Tuaran), Franti Kuntau (Papar), Wendey Agung Baruh (Sipitang), Peter Sumping (Ranau), Raymond Ahuar (Pensiangan), Matusin Apang (Batu Sapi), Sahrudin Harol (Sandakan), Romansa Lamin (Silam), Sahrul Zakaria (Kalabakan), Barani Ampise (Tenom), Roslan Hussin (Kimanis), and Abdul Gani Zebika (Tawau).
The other protesting leaders are Rubiah Onga (women’s wing chief), Datin Rufina Pangeran (women’s deputy chief), Manja Matdin (central exco member), Junaidah Makku (women’s youth wing chief), Rosli Masliku (Sabah leadership council member), and Stefly Said (state leadership council member).
At that time, Liew responded that she would leave the matter to the party president to decide. – The Vibes, January 8, 2022
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