KOTA KINABALU: Keen contests for second-echelon leadership positions in several Sabah political parties are set to take place over the next few months as they hold their respective annual congresses.
With the Registrar of Societies (RoS) declining requests for further postponement of some political parties' annual meets due since last year, the congresses are expected to be held within this year.
Among the parties are Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Upko, Parti Warisan and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
With the exception of Opposition party Upko, whose president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau is likely to be challenged by his vice president Datuk Ewon Benedick, the other party presidents are expected to be returned unopposed.
PBS head Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, is expected to retain his presidency when the party holds its 36th and 37th Annual Delegates Conferences back to back from June 28-July 1.
However, challenges are expected for at least two of the three deputy presidents' posts for the non-Muslim bumiputra and Chinese slots.
Party insiders are not ruling out party secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai taking on vice president Datuk Joachim Gunsalam for the non-Muslim bumiputra deputy president slot held by Datuk Radin Malleh.
Bangkuai has yet to make it known if he intends to go for the post but insiders expect his decision "very soon".
PBS officials are also anticipating stiff fights for all other positions from vice president to committee members.
Opposition Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and his deputy Datuk Darell Leiking are also expected to retain their respective positions.
However, party members are bracing to see a clamour for the vice president's slot left vacant by Datuk Peter Anthony, who quit last year to form his own party friendly to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
They also expect a crowded field for all other positions in the supreme council.
SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee is also expected to retain the post he has held since 1994 with party members indicating there are no signs of any challenge at the Sept 3 annual congress.
However, party officials expect more contests in other positions as part of renewal in the party, a member of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition.
A common concern among most of the parties' officials is that fierce contests for senior party posts, and also at division level, could affect their standing with the grassroots ahead of the looming 15th General Election.
It is learnt Warisan had applied to postpone its congress but was told not to by RoS, while PBS was also advised to hold both its 2020 and 2021 delegates' meeting back to back.
It is understood Upko had also applied to postpone its congress, even though its divisions have been holding their annual meetings since early this month.
Due to the various movement restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, many parties could not hold their annual or biennial congresses.
With the easing of restrictions earlier this year, RoS had urged political parties and associations to hold all meetings postponed during the pandemic.
