Sangkar rejects calls for resignation, accuses Sabah PKR rebels of slander

KOTA KINABALU: Embattled Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Dr Sangkar Rasam rejected any move for his resignation and pledged to continue leading the party as entrusted by the leadership.

"I would like to emphasize that I will continue to fulfil the trust given to me by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with full responsibility and integrity.

"Therefore, I will not budge from my duty to ensure that PKR continues to serve for the progress and well-being of Sabah," he said in a statement following a move by 15 of the 26 Sabah division chiefs' call for his resignation for alleged non-performance.

He said the statement by the group's spokesman Kota Marudu PKR division chief Sazalye Donol was "unfounded and slanderous" as it did not reflect the true views of the grassroots of the Sabah PKR.

"He has made malicious accusations that I have never held programmes to strengthen the party since being appointed Sabah PKR chairman in 2022.

"This is completely untrue because over the past year, I have organised many programmes that were also often attended by representatives of the Prime Minister's Office," he said.

He said that the public accusations only embarrassed PKR and it would definitely work against the party's efforts in preparing for the upcoming Sabah state election.

"We must continue to be united in focusing on the development agenda and the welfare of the people of Sabah, not be involved in creating internal unrest that is only wasting time," he added.

"The party election machinery is now in a state of readiness to face the upcoming state elections and I am committed to ensuring that my leadership as Sabah PKR will see the party increasing seats in the state assembly and playing a more important role in the state government.

"I call on all parties to put the interests of the people above the personal interests of certain groups so that we continue to work together to strengthen the integrity of PKR," he said.

On Monday (March 18), 15 division chiefs including Kota Belud division head Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (Deputy Higher Learning Minister), Api Api division chief Datuk Christina Liew (Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister) and Sepanggar division chief Petos Galim (state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Assistant Minister) were among the 15 PKR leaders asking for him to step down.

The 15, who signed statutory declarations asking for Sangkar to be removed due to poor leadership, want the PKR central leadership to change the state chairman if he did not resign "honourably."