KOTA KINABALU: The Pakatan Harapan (PH) Presidential Council has yet to confirm Upko President Datuk Ewon Benedick as the Chairperson of PH Sabah.
Sabah Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Chief, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, said only a report on the selection process for the position had been submitted to the central leadership thus far.
“The selection has been made, and we have submitted the report to the central level. That’s it. The central leadership asked what happened during the meeting. We explained in detail what occurred.
“So far, technically, the process has been completed. For us, we adhere to the selection process.
“However, the confirmation must be made by the Central Presidential Council. We have only just conducted the meeting and submitted the report,” he said, after the “Sekampung Christmas Celebration” at Dewan Sarayo Kampung Malawa, KKIP, Saturday.
Also present was Sabah Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Datuk Peto Galim.
Mustapha, who is Deputy Minister of Higher Education, acknowledged that while there are differing opinions on the matter, it can be resolved in an upcoming PH meeting.
“I’m confident this issue can be settled amicably after the meeting,” he said, and urged PH leaders to discuss such issues internally within the “PH family” rather than through the media.
On Friday’s meeting between Sabah PKR leaders and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Mustapha said that it was on current issues.
“It was just a casual meeting with no specific agenda. We were informed that the Chief Minister would be leaving for Umrah, so we talked about various matters related to the state government and our assembly members. It was a routine meeting, like those we’ve had in the past,” he said.
Meanwhile, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Information Chief, Dr Peter Jr Naintin, said Sabah PKR’s actions show reluctance to accept the fair election conducted on Dec. 1.
“Sabah PKR rejected the election outcome and instead relied on mass media and other channels to push for Datuk Christina Liew, the Sabah PKR Political Bureau Chairwoman, to be the Sabah PH chairman,” he said in a statement.
He said Sabah PKR’s stance disrespects the PH Sabah constitution, democratic processes, and the leadership of the PH central secretariat. He added that the party’s actions suggest it does not accept decisions made in similar processes in other states, facilitated by the same secretariat.
“Sabah PKR seems to believe they alone are entitled to the position, treating the Sabah PH chairman’s role as their exclusive right,” he said.
According to him, the election process was transparent, with representatives from PKR, DAP, Upko and Amanah present.
“We were all in the same room. Proposals were tabled, discussed, and decided through voting by all party representatives. All six representatives participated and the process was conducted fairly by the PH central secretariat,” he said.
Peter criticised Sabah PKR for rejecting the secretariat’s role and the voting process, suggesting it was an attempt to retain the chairmanship without a proper election.
He called on all parties to respect the results and support Ewon as the new chairman in preparation for the Sabah state election.
“I urge everyone to respect the mandate given by party representatives who elected Ewon. He is a leader who works tirelessly for the people of Sabah. Let’s trust his leadership and remain united as we face the coming state election,” he said.
Sabah PKR secretary Sazalye Donol Abdullah said that, traditionally, there has never been a selection process for the post as it is “reserved” for PKR.
Although Sabah DAP chief Phoong Jin Zhe previously said there is no quota for the selection of the state PH chairman, Sazalye said this was just Phoong’s personal view.
On a proposal to put the Sabah PH chairman’s post to a vote, Sazalye, who is also the Kota Marudu PKR chief, said: “According to party membership, PKR has the most members in Sabah. So, if the vote for the chairman must be held, it should be open to all members. It wouldn’t be fair if it’s restricted.”
