Sabah chapter of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is entering a period of transition after several senior party figures were ousted in divisional elections, in what party insiders describe as one of the most wide-ranging internal shake-ups in recent years.
Tourism Minister Datuk Christina Liew was among the biggest casualties, losing her long-held Kota Kinabalu division post to Lee Li Mei.
Liew, a former Sabah PKR chief, garnered 1,157 votes against Lee’s 1,381 — ending her tenure in a division she has led through multiple state and federal elections.
The outcome is part of a broader reshuffling that saw multiple senior leaders replaced, raising questions about the party’s internal direction as it prepares for high-stakes seat negotiations ahead of Sabah’s 17th state election, according to a party insider.
Another major upset came in Pensiangan, where state Youth deputy chief Datin Rufinah Pangeran clinched a landslide victory over incumbent Raymond Ahuar — her nephew — with 2,694 votes. Ahuar, a prominent face within the party’s rural outreach, secured just 823 ballots.
In Kota Marudu, state PKR secretary Sazalye Donol Abdullah failed to hold on to his seat, finishing third in a four-way contest that saw Sabah Youth chief Zaidi Jatil emerge victorious with 1,031 votes.
The result is expected to further sideline Sazalye, who recently drew internal backlash after publicly opposing the nomination of UPKO president Datuk Ewon Benedick as Sabah Pakatan Harapan chairman — arguing the post should remain with PKR.
“While the changes point to a generational and strategic shift, several key party veterans survived the electoral tide,” according to the party source.
State chairman and Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud defended his Kota Belud division, winning 1,405 votes in a three-way race.
Former state chief Datuk Dr Sangkar Rasam retained Keningau, while Assistant Minister Datuk Peto Galim held on to Sepanggar.
In Putatan, former MP Awang Husaini Sahari staged a political comeback, defeating Tony Biki with 684 votes to reclaim leadership of the division.
The divisional polls, which decided leadership in 25 out of 26 Sabah divisions — with Semporna’s results still pending audit — are expected to have long-term implications for how the party positions itself in negotiations with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and other Pakatan Harapan Plus allies.
The new lineup of division heads for the 2025–2028 term includes: Lee Li Mei (Kota Kinabalu), Zaidi Jatil (Kota Marudu), Mustapha Sakmud (Kota Belud), Mohammad Razeef Rakimin (Tuaran), Peto Galim (Sepanggar), Awang Husaini Sahari (Putatan), Rufinah Pangeran (Pensiangan), Sangkar Rasam (Keningau), Chang Ket Hoi @ Joseph Alex Chang (Penampang), Roslee Malek (Papar), Fung Thin Yein (Tawau), and Albani Najawi (Kalabakan).
The internal results are being closely watched by party factions as PKR prepares to assert its role in Sabah’s evolving political landscape. – April 21, 2025
