Kota Kinabalu: Datuk Christina Liew (pic) has maintained her position as the Sabah PKR leadership council chief despite facing heavy opposition to her stewardship by several of the party’s divisional chiefs in the State on Saturday.Mustapha Sakmud, who was appointed as the council’s secretary, said those who attended its meeting on Saturday had unanimously supported Liew to continue to lead the state council with her idea of strengthening the party and lifting its image.
“Liew will outline various new approaches, including the 2022 Strategic Plan supported by activities in each branch together with all the leadership council leaders and party members with the motto of ‘Together We Make It Happen’,” he said in a statement, Sunday.
Mustapha also denied claims by Simsudik Sidek, the chairman of Sabah PKR divisional chiefs’ secretariat, that the meeting did not have a sufficient quorum of attendees.
“The meeting is valid and had sufficient quorum, even without the presence of branch heads who tried to boycott the meeting after being given prior notice, which stated clearly that the meeting is held in a hybrid manner, that is physical and virtual attendance, to facilitate the presence of leadership council members.
He said based on the attendance record, the quorum of the meeting was adequately met, in compliance with Clause 28.3 of the party’s constitution.
“All documents will be sent to the party secretary-general for scrutiny and verification according to the party’s internal channels,” he said.
Mustapha said that the action of those who boycotted the meeting means that they do not want to negotiate, and the council has approved the leadership with the consent of the majority of the members who attended the meeting as vested under the constitution.
However, he stressed, the actions of the 16 Sabah PKR division chiefs in boycotting the meeting do not affect their positions as division chiefs.
Mustapha urged those who are not satisfied with the internal management and leadership of the party to use the right channels in voicing their protests and avoid using the media openly.
“The meeting also decided that the party leadership should be big-hearted by opening a room for discussion in findings solutions in the interest of the party,” he said.
“We would also like to remind the branch heads who boycotted the meeting (that it) means disrespecting the President (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) who had already consulted with all the branch heads at the meeting on September 8, 2021 and advised that the chairman be retained until the incoming party election.”
He said the party’s main focus is to prepare for the next general election and strengthen its machinery at the branch level.
Putatan MP Awang Husaini Sahari was appointed as Sabah PKR MPN deputy chairman, while Peto Galim (Inanam Assemblyman), Datuk John OT Gani and Abdul Razak Jamil were made vice-chairmen.
Remysta Taylor was appointed as organising secretary, while Thonny Chee became deputy information chief. Dikin Musa is now chairman of the disciplinary bureau.
The council also added four new members, namely Alijus Sipil, Ramlan Naim, Akbar Nusah, and F. Fauziah Abdul Lahap.
