SABAH PKR has completed a major reorganisation of its state leadership ahead of looming state elections, reinstating former party chief Datuk Christina Liew as advisor.
The new line-up, finalised during the party’s state leadership council (MPN) meeting on Saturday, follows the conclusion of the party elections in May, which saw Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud subsequently reappointed as Sabah PKR chairman.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Peto Galim was named deputy chair and his position as party’s state election machinery retained.
Liew led the state chapter for nearly a decade and was unceremoniously removed in 2022 after an internal revolt led by Datuk Sangkar Rasam, who marshalled support from divisional leaders to reject her leadership.
Sangkar himself was later ousted through similar means last year and this paved the way for Mustapha to be appointed interim chairman before winning the position formally.
Despite the history, Sangkar returned to the leadership ranks as one of three vice-chairpersons.
His family members also re-emerged as part of the state top committee, with his wife Datin Rupinah Pangeran appointed as Women’s Chief and their son, Mohd Guntur Datuk Sangkar, named as Sabah PKR Communications Director.
The reshuffle signals a strategic reset for Sabah PKR as it prepares for a state election that could be called as early as the end of this year.
The party along with other component parties in Pakatan Harapan is currently locked in non-official negotiations on seats with partner Barisan Nasional and also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
In a statement issued by the new state information chief Ahmad Farid Sainuri, the party said groundwork had already begun in key constituencies.
“These are not just surveys — they’re listening exercises. We want to understand what voters are really experiencing on the ground,” he said.
The leadership shake-up also comes in the wake of rising public dissatisfaction over governance issues in the state particularly corruption.
Last weekend’s anti-corruption rally organised by student group Suara Mahasiswa UMS called Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0.
The protest culminated in the burning of a caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — an act Sabah PKR has strongly condemned as “excessive and inappropriate”.
“Freedom of expression is a pillar of any mature democracy. Students and civil society have every right to highlight issues like the water crisis or leakages in public projects.
“But setting fire to the Prime Minister’s image crosses the line and does little to advance the cause,” he said. - June 29, 2025
