Sabah PKR defended its exclusive right to lead Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH), citing it was tradition for a leader from the party to hold the post.

State PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud explained that it disputes against Upko leader Datuk Ewon Benedick election as the new Sabah PH leader that the matter has been escalated to the PH presidential council level.

This is despite the election was a required process under coalition’s constitution registered with the Registrar of Societies, he added.

“The appointment process is outlined in PH’s constitution and registered with the Registrar of Societies,” Mustapha said during a weekly press conference in Kota Kinabalu, on Sunday.

While, PKR respected the election process, he said it was the first time the state leadership post had been given to another party and therefore, reason for the dispute.

“Traditionally, Sabah PKR has always held the state chief position. This change has caused dissatisfaction within the party,” he said.

Mustapha also emphasized that PH previously mapped out leadership roles by state and that such arrangement should not be altered.

“The coalition has already agreed on leadership mapping for each state, and that policy should remain in place,” he said.

Benedick was elected Sabah PH chief on December 1, 2024, narrowly beating former chief Datuk Seri Christina Liew by three votes.

Despite his win, PKR opposed his nomination.

Mustapha suggested that technical issues during the election may have contributed to the ongoing dispute, as there could have been miscommunication about previous policies.

“There may have been confusion about earlier arrangements, which is why this overlap happened,” he added.

According to Mustapha, PKR has since submitted a report to the PH secretariat, requesting a review of the party’s contributions to strengthening PH in Sabah.

“This is about upholding the coalition’s constitution and resolving internal disputes through proper channels,” he stressed.

He said Benedick can present his case to the presidential council as he also sits in the group. But ultimately, it is the council that will have the final say.

Separately, Sabah PKR revealed that only about 25% of seat-sharing negotiations for the upcoming state election remain unresolved due to competing interests for certain constituencies.

Sabah PH comprises PRK, Amanah, DAP and Upko.

Sabah PKR election director Datuk Peto Galim said that if talks continue to stall, the issue will also be brought to the PH Presidential Council.

“We were aiming to complete seat allocations by late December or early January, but things have been delayed,” Peto said.

“Many party leaders have been busy with their own activities, and not everyone was ready to discuss these matters,” he added.

He highlighted that some key constituencies have become hotly contested, describing them as “goreng pisang,” or highly sought-after items.

“We expect things to move forward once everyone is prepared to resume talks,” Peto said. – January 12, 2025