THE two camps in Sabah PKR are each claiming they have the numbers to form the state party’s leadership council.

One group, aligned to Team Reformasi that supported Rafizi Ramli in the recently concluded party elections, said it had secured 16 division chiefs, enough to retain the state’s incumbent leader, Christina Liew.

The other group aligned with deputy president Azmin Ali, said it wants Tawau PKR chief Kong Hon Ming to take over and has at least 15 divisions behind it.

Sabah PKR has 26 divisions.

Liew, however, said she was not concerned about those supporting Kong.

“Yes, I am aware they had a meeting last Saturday. I was not invited. 

“But I won’t do anything. I will not take action against anyone or be bothered by their actions,” she told The Malaysian Insight. 

Sources from Liew’s group said this was because she was in a comfortable position to be nominated again as the state chief, thanks to the support of the 16 division chiefs.

Restlessness in the state party chapter has been growing, as it remains unclear who the new state chief will be, despite the PKR polls having ended weeks ago.

It was reported that a number of division chiefs wanted Liew booted after losing confidence in her leadership.

The position of the state party chairman is by appointment by the party president, and the process involves the calling of all 26 division chiefs to name their pick.

Liew said she would wait for party president Anwar Ibrahim to announce the new state chief.

The rival group, led by Kudat PKR chief Rahimah Majid, who supported Azmin, said it had the support of at least 15 division chiefs who wanted Kong installed.

Rahiman recently called for a meeting to elect a new state chief and said those who supported Kong included division chiefs from the Reformasi camp that Liew was part of.

“They know she is not doing anything to help the divisional chiefs and they had in turn supported our pick (Kong),” said Rahimah, adding that they would propose Kong’s name to Anwar when he returns from an overseas trip. – November 27, 2018.