PUTRAJAYA: The Pakatan Harapan presidential council will need to meet to discuss issues surrounding its Sabah chapter, says Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said this in response to recent unhappiness voiced by some Sabah Pakatan members as the state coalition was now being led by the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) instead of PKR.
“We have not held the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting yet.
“When it is held, and if there are any decisions on the matter, I will relay it to the media,” he told the reporters when met at the Madani Touch Kiosk opening ceremony here on Thursday (Jan 9).
Recently, incumbent state chairman Datuk Seri Christina Liew was ousted by three votes in favour of Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Sabah PKR Leadership Council (MPN) secretary Sazalye Donol argued that such a process has never occurred before, adding that the position belongs to PKR.
“For now, the matter remains unresolved and we are still awaiting the final decision from Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Ultimately, the decision rests with him.”
On Jan 3, Sazalye explained that historically, there has never been a selection process for the position of state chairman.
He also claimed they were not informed that a representative from Kuala Lumpur was chairing the Sabah PKR Annual General Meeting on Dec 1, adding that they had expressed their dissatisfaction and requested a postponement, which was denied.
“We are questioning Upko’s eligibility to lead, considering they are relatively new, having just joined the coalition.
“They seem eager to claim the position, but how can you lead when you are new? If they had been part of Pakatan longer, it might be acceptable.
“Even DAP is somewhat reasonable, as they have been around longer.
"Moreover, in Sabah, the PKR quota has always been key,” he said, refuting Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe’s assertion that no such quota exists.
Benedick, however, called for calm within the coalition, urging Pakatan leaders to review his performance over the past two years and highlighting that his appointment adhered to the coalition’s constitutional rules.
