KOTA KINABALU, Oct 18 — Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said that local party leaders will not be sidelined in the upcoming election but that the party’s main priority is securing more seats.
Mustapha was answering a question about the grassroots dissatisfaction stemming from “parachute” candidates: those from outside the area or party line-up who was brought in specifically to contest
“The most important thing now is how we can increase the number of seats for our party in Sabah. That’s the main focus,” he said when speaking to reporters today.
“We will make sure our leaders are taken care of. It doesn’t mean they will be left behind. We’ll find the right balance for the good of the party,” he said.
Mustapha said the party leadership is aware of the concerns on the ground following reports of parachute candidates being brought in, but stressed that the candidate selection process will be fair and based on merit.
He acknowledged that PKR, like other parties, may consider external candidates in some constituencies but insisted that the party’s local leaders will continue to play a key role.
“We do have a list of proposed candidates, and there is a vetting process.
“We also need to be open, just like other parties that are trying to bring in candidates from outside. We need to find a balance,” he said.
There have been reports claiming several division chiefs were unhappy with the central leadership for placing candidates that have not been part of the local party structure.
Among them are Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman’s son Datuk Yamani Hafez Musa, who was former Sipitang MP under Umno and then Bersatu and then Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
He is rumoured to be contesting the Sindumin seat under PKR.
The party leadership has refused to confirm either his membership or candidacy.
Other names stirring discontent include former Kemabong assemblyman Datuk Jamawi Jaafer, who has shifted between Umno and Warisan before landing in PKR, and ex-Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi, who prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had hinted might be contesting the Merotai seat.
On negotiations over seat allocations with Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Mustapha said discussions were ongoing and that most issues have been resolved. “I don’t think there will be any problem with BN. There are only two seats left to finalise, and I believe that will be resolved soon. There are also a few seats with GRS, and I think that too will be settled in the near future,” he said.
When asked if he would be contesting in Darau, Mustapha said he has been asked to focus on his parliamentary duties.
“Previously I did have the intention, but I’ve been asked to focus on Parliament, so I agree with the leadership’s decision. For now, my focus is to ensure we our seats, especially in Inanam and Api-Api, are well taken care of,” he said.
He added that the ultimate goal for Sabah PKR is to ensure victory for its candidates and to strengthen the party’s role within the state government.
