Priscella Peter will now assume the role Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) leader in the absence of his father, Datuk Peter Anthony, who is the party president. 

Peter Anthony is serving a three-year prison sentence for forgery.

The party’s leadership unanimously appointed Priscella, 27, who holds a master’s degree in accounting from Curtin University, Australia, to lead KDM during this period. 

She will be supported by deputy president Datuk Wetrom Bahanda, who also served as KDM’s election machinery director.

KDM secretary-general Willie Jude expressed confidence in the party’s resilience, stating that the leadership had anticipated such scenarios and had plans in place to ensure continuity. 

He emphasized the party’s unity and readiness to face upcoming challenges, including the 17th Sabah state election (PRN17).

“Our struggle continues—we will not take a single step back. This fight is for Sabah, for the people,” Willie said in a statement on Friday night. 

The party also reaffirmed its stance to contest solo in the upcoming state election, maintaining the course set by its former president.

Peter was convicted for falsifying documents related to a maintenance and service contract at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in 2014. 

After exhausting his appeals, he began serving his sentence on March 4, 2025. – March 7, 2025