KOTA KINABALU: The ongoing leadership impasse within Sabah Pakatan Harapan is merely “a small matter,” according to Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
The Kota Kinabalu MP downplayed to reporters the significance of the current internal dispute, which stems from dissatisfaction within Sabah PKR over recent leadership results.
“It is nothing serious. It is just a small matter. Even when I meet the Prime Minister, we spend more time discussing governance issues, with politics coming later,” Chan said when asked if the leadership matter had been discussed with Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The conflict arose over the leadership of the Sabah Pakatan Harapan coalition, particularly concerning the recent chairmanship contest.
Outgoing chairperson Datuk Christina Liew lost the seat to United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick by a narrow three-vote margin.
This defeat has sparked tensions within Sabah PKR, with leaders and members questioning the legitimacy of the result and the shift in power towards Upko, a relatively new coalition member.
Although the leadership change was democratic and Benedick’s election adhered to the coalition’s constitutional rules, the Sabah PKR camp is calling for the Pakatan chairmanship to be returned to Sabah.
They stressed a long-standing belief that PKR should hold the position.
Sabah PKR state leadership council secretary Sazalye Donol voiced concerns over the process, stating, “We are questioning Upko’s eligibility to lead, considering they are new to the coalition. How can a new party lead when PKR, which has been integral to Pakatan, has always held the chairmanship?”
However, Chan, who is also Deputy Plantations and Commodities Minister, assured that the issues would be resolved through proper channels, including the Pakatan presidential council and at the state level.
He urged the media to allow space for the situation to be settled in due time and reiterated that the matter would be addressed “very soon.”
“We hope the media will give us some space. It (the issue) will be settled in due course,” Chan said.
Benedick has since called for calm within the coalition and stressed that the appointment followed the coalition’s constitutional procedures.
He urged Sabah Pakatan leaders to review his performance over the past two years and believes the situation can be resolved amicably.
