PKR state leadership revamp amid revolt in Sabah
Speculation is rife that a major reshuffle of PKR state leaders is under way, a move that is likely to set the party ablaze with more infighting.
The most notable change could be the replacement of PKR vice-president Azmin Ali and Mustafa Kamil Ayub as the party’s Sabah and Sarawak chiefs.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the decision was made by PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the party’s political bureau meeting on Tuesday night.
Party insiders said the reshuffle of leaders from critical states including Sabah and Sarawak, which collectively account for 25 per cent of parliamentary seats, is long overdue.
In a bid to make headway in both states, which are crucial vote banks for Barisan National (BN), ahead of the next national elections, Anwar took over the leadership of both states in March.
However in May, both Mustaffa and Azmin were handpicked to lead the party in the two states.
The unilateral move by Anwar to appoint Malay leaders from the peninsula, which was supposedly a temporary measure to consolidate the party in East Malaysia, has now backfired.
It is learnt that PKR chieftains in both states are in open revolt and are demanding that local leaders be appointed to head the party.
In Sabah, factions aligned to the appointed party vice-president Jeffrey Pairin Kitingan have launched a mutiny against Azmin by submitting a memorandum which, among other matters, claimed that Azmin has under-performed.
He has also been accused of sidelining key local leaders and is purportedly trying to consolidate his position there by appointing those close to him to key positions within Sabah PKR.
Both Mustaffa and Azmin have been instructed to return to both states and obtain a consensus on who local chieftains want as their state leaders.
For Sabah, the most likely candidate to be nominated is Jeffrey but The Malaysian Insider was told by party insiders that Anwar himself is against Jeffrey’s appointment as Sabah chief.
“Two reasons for this. One is that Anwar believes that Jeffrey will not be able to pull enough support from Sabah voters and second, Anwar won’t be able to control Jeffrey hence placing his men like Azmin to head the state,” said the source.
“They have been instructed to gather a list of names and a final decision on who will lead these states will be decided on Oct 25, at the party’s supreme council meeting,” added the source.
As for Peninsular Malaysia, it is learnt that two states and Kuala Lumpur will also undergo a leadership reshuffle.
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who is the KL party chief, will likely be replaced by Batu MP and party strategic director Tian Chua, a move likely to cause discontent among followers of Azmin who is said to be vying for the same post.
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