KOTA KINABALU: Sabah PKR is preparing for changes in the state's political landscape following reports of an unreleased video allegedly showing senior Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders discussing project allocations and political support.
Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the party was surprised by the development and is closely monitoring the situation.
“We thought the earlier videos and the statements taken from two assemblymen were the end of it, but this new incident caught us off guard,” he said at a press conference after chairing the Sabah PKR leadership council meeting on Sunday (June 29).
“We are now assessing the implications. I believe this will, to some extent, change the political landscape in the state.”
He said all PKR divisions in Sabah have been instructed to stay alert and be ready for any developments.
“We are ready for any possibility. That was one of the key things discussed during our Sabah leadership council meeting; that each division must stay updated and be on standby,” he said.
While formal talks with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) have yet to begin, PKR is signalling readiness to explore cooperation.
“GRS also wants to work with Pakatan Harapan, and we welcome that. I think it’s time for us to start discussions, maybe over coffee first,” he said.
This contrasts with PKR’s negotiations with Barisan Nasional, which are already in the final stages.
“We’ve had many discussions with Barisan already, and only about 5% remains unresolved,” he added.
A news portal recently reported that there are videos allegedly involving leaders from GRS component parties that have been recorded but not yet made public.
The videos are said to involve discussions related to political support and payments amounting to several million ringgit.
Mustapha also revealed that Sabah PKR is eyeing at least 13 seats in the upcoming state election, with groundwork underway to gauge winnability in these constituencies.
As part of its preparations, he said voter canvassing and profiling is actively being carried out to assess grassroots support and understand local concerns.
“These activities help us feel the rakyat’s pulse and identify our areas of strength,” he said, adding that the results would also guide seat negotiations with other parties.
During the meeting, Sabah PKR finalised its new state leadership line-up.
Mustapha remains as chairman, with Datuk Peto Galim as deputy chairman and state election director, while former state PKR chief Datuk Christina Liew has been named one of two advisers, alongside Abdul Rahman Yakub.
The vice-chairmen are Datuk Sangkar Rasam, Azmi Datu Tambuyung, and Mohd Amin Mem. Rupinah Pangeran and Zaidi Jatil continue to lead the women and youth wings respectively.
Also appointed were Abdul Razak Jamil as secretary and co-election director, Stefly Said as treasurer, Ahmad Farid Haji Sainuri as information chief, Mohd Guntur Sangkar as communications director, Grace Lee as organising secretary, and Ag. Husaini Ag. Sahari as political bureau member.
