Sabah PKR is facing growing internal dissent as more than half of its 25 divisional chiefs express frustration over what they call the central leadership’s dominance and the alleged imposition of “parachute candidates” for the upcoming state election.
According to party insiders, 17 divisional chiefs and deputies met behind closed doors in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday night to vent their frustrations about the central leadership’s move to sideline Sabah’s own election machinery.
The meeting, which began at 8.30pm and lasted nearly three hours, ended without resolution but left members feeling disillusioned.
“If parachutes get the seats, don’t expect our machinery to move. There will be protests,” said one division chief to The Vibes.
Sabah’s election team, led by state secretary Peto Galim, has reportedly been replaced by a central team led by PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar and secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, both appointed by party president Anwar Ibrahim.
The intervention has angered local leaders, who argue that candidate and strategy decisions should be made locally.
The controversy intensified after a purported candidate list went viral, featuring names like former Tenom assemblyman Jamawi Jaafar, ex-Education Ministry secretary-general Ruji Ubi, and former Sipitang MP Yamani Hafez Musa.
Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud has been accused of remaining silent as the state’s leadership structure is reportedly overridden.
Some division leaders believe Anwar may not be fully aware of the growing discontent, claiming information reaching him is being filtered.
The tension comes as Pakatan Harapan finalises seat negotiations with Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
PKR co-election director Saifuddin Nasution denied that the candidate list had been finalised, calling claims of “parachute candidates” speculative.
Sabah PKR Youth chief Zaidi Jatil also downplayed talk of a revolt, saying the party remains united and that the recent meeting was a routine consultation.
The Election Commission will meet on October 16 to fix nomination and polling dates, setting the stage for one of Sabah PKR’s toughest campaigns yet.
