SABAH PKR is in for a leadership shake up, with 15 out of 26 division chiefs meeting tomorrow with the intention of removing Christina Liew as the state PKR leader.

They want Liew replaced as they have lost confidence in her leadership.

Kudat chief Rahimah Majid confirmed that the closed-door meeting will be held tomorrow.

“It is to discuss the position of the state party leadership, including Liew’s position,” she said, while refusing to disclose when and where the meeting will be held.

She said up to 15 of the 26 divisional chiefs in Sabah and Labuan are expected to turn up and the number was enough to vote Liew out from the top post.

The state PKR chief is appointed by the party president, who will listen to the views of all 26 divisional chiefs before making a decision.

However, the party president, currently Anwar Ibrahim, can still pick a state chief of his choice, with or without majority support from all the divisional chiefs.

Rahimah refused to say whether the meeting had been sanctioned by Liew, but pointed out that all the 15 chiefs “don’t want her” as she had become a “liability to PKR.”

Rahimah is aligned to deputy president Azmin Ali.  It is learnt that Tawau PKR chief Kong Hon Ming has the support of the 15 to replace Liew.

Among those who are expected to turn up at the meeting tomorrow are Sepanggar chief Dr Roland Chia and Ranau chief Jonathan Yassin.

Sabah which has the second-largest PKR membership in the country is largely aligned with the Reformasi camp led by Rafizi Ramli. Rafizi lost to Azmin in the race to be deputy president.

Many in Rafizi’s camp are also unhappy with Liew’s leadership. She has not called for a divisional chiefs meeting to vote for a state chief although PKR polls ended more than two weeks ago.  

A divisional chief from the Reformasi camp confirmed Liew may not be able to retain the post.

She has lost touch with issues affecting the party grassroots, said the divisional chief on condition of anonymity.

“There are several reasons they raised to me, but the most glaring one was that not only that Liew had lost touch with their problems, she also did nothing to resolve them.  

“As a result some division chiefs are unhappy and considering to vote her out,” the source said.

Another source said the growing resentment towards Liew’s leadership could be traced back to before to the general election in May.

“When Pakatan Harapan entered into seat negotiations with Warisan, Liew failed to get a huge share of the seats.

“She did not negotiate well on behalf of the party and could be seen as giving in to Warisan,” said the source, adding that PKR president Anwar was also unhappy with her over the same matter.

“I was made to understand Anwar too no longer wants her as the state chief,” he said.

Sabah PKR contested in six federal seats and eight state seats in GE14 compared to Warisan contesting in 17 federal seats and 45 state seats. The party only won three out of six federal seats and two out of the eight state seats. – November 23, 2018.