KOTA KINABALU: PKR has been sending mixed signals about coalition unity while preaching partnership within Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan), says Datuk Dr Pamela Yong.
The Sabah Wanita MCA chief said PKR’s conduct ahead of the Sabah state election appeared inconsistent with its public calls for solidarity and cooperation.
“In any coalition, there must first be a basic understanding of cooperation and camaraderie. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with partners and moving in unison is the foundation of any credible alliance,” she said in a statement on Monday (Oct 13).
“Yet what we are witnessing from our supposed partners within Pakatan, particularly PKR, paints a very different picture,” she added.
Yong said PKR should reflect on its own actions before questioning the loyalty of its coalition partner, Upko, over the latter’s proposal to use its own logo in the coming election.
“Before criticising others, PKR might do well to look inward. It’s hard to lecture others on teamwork when one’s own hand is rocking the boat,” she said.
She pointed to PKR’s acceptance of former Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) member Datuk Chew Kok Woh as an example of poor faith that has raised questions about the party’s sincerity in maintaining coalition harmony.
“Chew previously served under Barisan Nasional (Barisan) and was appointed as community development leader through the goodwill of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor,” she said.
“By embracing him so readily, PKR has shown little regard for the spirit of cooperation with its supposed partners — GRS on one side and Barisan on the other. If coalition cooperation is meant to be based on mutual respect, coordination, and shared objectives, then this move reeks of poor sportsmanship.”
Yong said the move gives the impression that PKR was “slapping GRS on the left cheek and Barisan on the right, all while claiming to be partners at the same table”.
“This perfectly encapsulates the hypocrisy of a coalition that preaches unity while practising division,” she said.
Yong added that Sabahans deserved leadership built on trust and principle, not “the politics of convenience and recycling”.
“The people of Sabah want stability and sincerity — not coalitions that say one thing and do another,” she said.
