Photo: Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (pic) is ready to lead crisis-ridden Sabah PKR if the national leadership appoints him as state chairman.
Mustapha, the Kota Belud PKR division chief and Sepanggar MP, however, said that the decision is the prerogative of party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who will also consult 26 party division chiefs.
“We will see how, God willing. If the division heads and the president entrust me with the responsibility, I am ready to shoulder it,” he said when asked about talk that he could be next to head Sabah PKR, which is currently under embattled Datuk Dr Sangkar Rasam.
Speaking to reporters at the Higher Education Ministry @UiTM Sabah Ramadan Celebration Ceremony here yesterday, Mustapha said what is important now is unity in the party leadership.
“So I think we leave it to the party president to choose the best.
“We will accept any decision based on the party’s Constitution, which requires the leader of the state PKR to get the support of the majority of the division heads,” he said.
Mustapha was among 15 division heads who signed a statutory declaration calling for Sangkar to step down or be replaced due to his alleged failure to lead the party in the state on March 17.
Mustapha said the Sabah PKR machinery needs to be strengthened in preparation for the state election, which is due soon.
“To manage the number of seats and areas up for contest, we need a leader who can guide the state PKR. This will enable us to move our machinery on the ground as well as increase our programmes.
“We need change. Otherwise, we fear that we will be left behind, with other parties moving ahead already,” he said, adding that the members were worried the party seems to be in no hurry to prepare for the state election.He hopes that Anwar will be able to make a quick decision because whoever is appointed as Sabah PKR chairman will get the support of the party.
Mustapha also said Anwar is expected to come to Sabah on April 20 for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at the state level and would possibly meet with division heads before making a decision on the chairman’s post.
