KOTA KINABALU: The current political impasse within Sabah PKR will not break the party, says Datuk Christina Liew.
Liew, who is Sabah Pakatan Harapan chairman and Api Api PKR division chief, said such infightings were not uncommon but the state PKR has always come out stronger.
"This is not something unusual and it had occurred before, even within other parties," said Liew.
Liew, who was Sabah PKR chief prior to the appointment of the current embattled Datuk Dr Sangkar Rasam in 2022, said from her 22 years with the party, she had also gone through such a situation.
"There was even a time when I was isolated within the party.
“But this will not break Sabah PKR,” said the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister.
Some 25 of the 26 Sabah PKR division leaders, including Liew, have signed a statutory declaration, demanding for Sangkar to step down or be replaced by the national PKR leadership ahead of the coming state election.
Liew was confident that when the time came, members would come together for the good of the party and face the election with a strong force.
She confirmed that she signed the letter but did not walk out of the Sabah PKR meeting last month where the group urged Sangkar to step down.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to make an official visit to Sabah on April 20.
Local party leaders anticipate that Anwar, the PKR president, will decide on Sangkar's position.
For now, Liew said it was best that members and leaders focused on working for the people instead of politicking.
Asked about her personal choice for the state chairmanship, Liew said it has to be someone supported by the majority of the state divisions.
She also said it was important to ensure the party machinery worked for the people and that the state PKR image was not affected.
"Whether or not there is a change in the state chairmanship, I will continue to be there for the people.
“We expect the state government to run full term, so let us focus on this first,” she said.
On March 30, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said he is ready to lead Sabah PKR.
