SABAH PKR leaders used to give talks in largely empty venues, and the party polls would take place without locals paying attention – or even hearing of them.

This has changed following Pakatan Harapan’s 14th general election victory, and the party is expected to make even more progress in the state with Anwar Ibrahim, its president-elect, poised to take over as prime minister.

The big turnout of state PKR members at the Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel today took outgoing PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail by surprise.

“I am really surprised that there are so many showing their interest. I never quite expected this.

“It shows that more and more Sabahans are interested in PKR’s struggle and objectives,” she told reporters after launching the state PKR general assembly.

Present were state PKR chairman Christina Liew and her deputy, Mustapha Sakmut.

More than 3,000 delegates from 24 branches statewide were in attendance.

Dr Wan Azizah, in her speech, spoke about the PH administration’s successes and failures in delivering on its 100-day promises, which include the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

The deputy prime minister said it was not easy to deliver on all the pledges in such a short time.

“The federal government appreciates and is thankful to the people for their patience, and we welcome their criticism.”

Meanwhile, Liew said she had submitted several names to Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal for consideration as assemblymen and heads of state government-linked companies.

She said their identities would be made known once Shafie gave the green light.

The chief minister has the prerogative to appoint six reps to form a simple majority, and Shafie has appointed four. They are Terrence Siambun (former Moyog rep), Loretto Padua (Warisan secretary-general), Stephen Wong (Sandakan MP) and Wilfred Madius Tangau (Tuaran MP). – September 2, 2018.