Sabah PKR is calling for the party’s top two positions to remain uncontested, saying it will safeguard unity as the party gears up for a critical election season.

Its chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said avoiding a contest for the President and Deputy President posts would reduce factionalism and keep the party focused on the bigger fight ahead.

“This is a good directive to minimize divisions.

“But we acknowledge that democracy must prevail, and if there are challengers, we cannot stop them,” he said in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday.

The People’s Justice Party (PKR) has scheduled the Divisional-level leadership elections: April 11 to April 20, 2025, while the Central Leadership Council (CLC), Women’s Central Leadership, and Central Youth Wing elections on May 24, 2025. 

Nominations for divisional committee leadership, including Women’s and Youth wings, will be open from March 14 to 16, 2025. 

PKR Sabah chapter has dissolved 24 state party divisions, with Beaufort the only exception due to ongoing floods, Mustapha said.

Until new leadership is elected, Datuk Seri Christina Liew will act as caretaker leader of the state chapter.

Nominations for new leadership positions in Sabah will be held from March 14 to 16, with voting scheduled for April 15 ahead of the main party elections in May.

Mustapha also announced that Sabah will be pushing two local leaders for the central committee positions with one of them being party deputy information chief Razeef Rakimin. 

For the first time, PKR will implement online voting using artificial intelligence (AI) in its internal polls.

The system, the party says, will cut costs, reduce bureaucracy, and simplify the election process.

Meanwhile, seat negotiations for the Sabah election are still in progress for Sabah Pakatan Harapan. 

Talks with other coalitions or parties will only take place after PH concludes its internal seat negotiations, said Mustapha. 

He refused to disclose the number of seats PH would contest, saying an early announcement could cause unnecessary friction with other political parties.

“It’s best to announce only after negotiations are completed,” he said.

Mustapha said the Sabah state election will be the first major test for the Madani government, and any missteps could cause rifts that ripple into upcoming elections in Melaka and Sarawak.

“We must continue to defend the Madani government so it can be re-elected for a second term and ensure Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains in power,” he said.

When asked about parties opting to contest solo, Mustapha said alliances remain the logical choice given the current political landscape in Malaysia. 

“Only those who think their party is strong enough will go solo.

“But they should be prepared for the consequences,” said Mustapha, when questioned over the announcement of Warisan and KDM parties’ intention of going solo in the state election due this year. – March 9, 2025