Sabah PKR ruffled as Upko takes the reins

IT is often said that a picture paints a thousand words.

In Sabah, a brief viral video may reveal even more about the goings-on within the four-party Sabah Pakatan Harapan.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew was visibly displeased with the appearance of Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin at her photo session with lion dance troupes in Kota Kinabalu last Saturday.

Liew, the ousted Sabah Pakatan chief, rolled her eyes before walking off, seemingly annoyed with Chan, who was smiling after failing to get a photo alongside her with the troupes in the background.

The episode at the opening of the 2025 Chinese New Year Dragon, Lion and Unicorn Dance Festival and Cultural Village Exhibition in Kota Kinabalu set tongues wagging, with the video clip going viral, given the issues confronting the Sabah Pakatan leadership.

DAP’s Chan’s photo-bombing incident comes at a time when Liew’s Sabah PKR is disputing the election of Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick as Sabah Pakatan chairman.

The four parties – DAP, Upko, PKR and Amanah – each represented by six members, voted in Benedick’s favour to replace Liew in a secret ballot.

Benedick garnered 15 votes while Liew received nine, after all 24 votes were cast by the respective party representatives during their election on Dec 1.

Though Liew, 72, quickly accepted the verdict, the mystery lingers on who within PKR or Amanah voted against her. The assumption is that all 12 DAP and Upko votes went to Benedick, who gained three votes from the PKR or Amanah reps.

Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Tze, 36, described the new leadership of Benedick, 42, as a significant step forward for Sabah Pakatan, saying the latter brought fresh hopes for Sabahans.

Over the last three weeks, Sabah PKR has been disputing the legality of the election, with Liew hinting that there might be a change in the state Pakatan leadership.

Both DAP and Upko countered this by maintaining that the election was done in accordance with the coalition’s constitution.

Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud claimed the national Pakatan leadership had yet to endorse the Sabah Pakatan election, with state party secretary Sazalye Donol even stating that the outcome was not recognised as there was no provision for Sabah Pakatan to hold an election.

Describing Upko as a relative newcomer in Pakatan, Sazalye said a “small party” taking over the state leadership was not a step in the right direction.

“If it was the DAP, it would be somewhat reasonable, as they have been around much longer. Moreover, in Sabah, it is always PKR that has been key in the Sabah Pakatan leadership,” he said, referring to Sabah PKR holding the chairman’s post over the years.

Currently, Sabah PKR has one parliamentary and two state seats, while Upko has two parliamentary and one state seat. Sabah DAP holds two parliamentary and four state seats.

The Sabah PKR stir is causing unease among its partners, but Benedick, who is the federal Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, has so far kept out of it, only saying that he was focused on his ministerial responsibilities.

The abrupt leadership change within Sabah Pakatan also comes in the midst of Sabah DAP’s move to review Sabah Pakatan’s continued cooperation with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Political analyst Tony Paridi Bagang feels that it is important for the local coalition to quickly resolve the leadership crisis, saying it negatively impacts Pakatan’s reputation and image with the state election due to be held this year.

“It is crucial that the coalition addresses such matters amicably to maintain public confidence. Upko’s inclusion in Pakatan can help balance the coalition’s image in Sabah, particularly given the perception that PKR and DAP are more national-based parties.

“Upko’s presence might also attract swing votes from the native Kadazandusun communities, leveraging its local appeal,” he said.

Bagang, a senior lecturer with Sabah UiTM, said it is also important for PKR as a national party to adopt a strategic approach in collaborating with its allies to strengthen Pakatan’s position in Sabah and project unity within the coalition.

“Upko must put in a significant effort to prove its capability in achieving favourable electoral results to overcome any negative perceptions associated with recent issues,” he added.

Having said that, the focus in the coming months will be on developments within Sabah Pakatan as it grapples with its differences over its new leadership.

Sabah Pakatan needs to be ready for talks with possible partners ahead of the state election, which is due by September this year.