THE Sabah leadership of the People’s Justice Party (PKR) has been urged to strengthen and mobilise its party machinery early in preparation for upcoming elections, including the next Malaysian general election.
Sabah State Leadership Council chairman Mustapha Sakmud said one of the key messages from party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was the need for stronger organisational readiness and greater awareness among members of issues affecting the state.
He said party members must deepen their understanding of matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963, including Sabah’s long-standing demand for a 40 per cent share of state revenue.
"Among them, the Prime Minister requested that the party machinery be ready to face the general election and he also asked that party members understand issues related to MA63, including the 40 per cent issue, as I have explained before," he said.
Mustapha, who also serves as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Sabah and Sarawak affairs, said the call was delivered during a mini convention held to revive party morale following disappointing results in the recent state election.
“This mini convention is also intended to help rebuild our morale after the state election, as everyone is aware that we managed to win only one seat,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the Sabah PKR Mini Convention, which was also attended by Anwar.
Mustapha added that the programme also included the simultaneous launch of the party’s annual general meetings currently being held across divisions in Sabah.
In addition, nine new members from among community leaders were officially welcomed into the party during the event, in a move aimed at broadening support and strengthening the party’s grassroots network in the state.
Separately, Mustapha confirmed that a meeting earlier in the day between Anwar and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor at Menara Kinabalu primarily focused on development matters and ongoing projects in the state.
He said the long-standing issue of Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement was briefly raised during the discussion but declined to elaborate further.
“It was also touched on briefly, but it is better to direct that question to the Chief Minister. I cannot speak on his behalf. What the Prime Minister mentioned is more or less what I have stated,” he said.
The remarks come as political parties across Malaysia begin quietly positioning themselves ahead of the next national polls, with Sabah widely expected to remain a crucial battleground in determining the balance of power at the federal level. - March 15, 2026
