SABAH PKR could suffer yet another leadership crisis, warned party insiders and political analysts, as members’ concerns mount over the entry of former Umno stalwart Salleh Said Keruak.

Razeef Rakimin, who is Sabah PKR Youth information chief, said the state chapter’s leadership risks being “hijacked” by a newcomer, as what had happened in the past.

He said the state PKR, now helmed by Tawau MP Christina Liew, was once controlled by newbies to the party, citing former Tuaran lawmaker Wilfred Bumburing and ex-Klias assemblyman Lajim Ukin.

Bumburing joined PKR immediately after leaving the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation ahead of the 2013 elections.

Lajim became state PKR head and opposition chief, but left the party before the 14th general election to form Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah.

“Lajim’s departure left Sabah PKR in disarray until Liew took over before the polls last year,” Razeef told The Malaysian Insight.

On Salleh’s application to join PKR, Razeef said almost everyone in the party’s state leadership is opposed to it, largely over concerns that the former Sabah Umno man may hijack the top post.

“For many PKR leaders, there is just too much at stake here. They fear that they will not be able to hold positions and will lose whatever power they have now.”

Still, he said, there are no major implications if Salleh joins PKR, as he is not an MP and cannot solidify PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s position as the next prime minister.

“PKR is also not the same as Bersatu in Pakatan Harapan. Bersatu is more likely to accept former Barisan Nasional reps to strengthen its political position.”

However, Razeef admitted that PKR needs to open its doors to any leader who genuinely believes in the Reformasi struggle – and that includes accepting Salleh.

Salleh, on his blog two days ago, revealed that he joined PKR because of its multicultural and progressive nature.

His membership application, submitted on August 25 and marked “approved” in the party’s online system, was sighted by The Malaysian Insight.

But his membership is not a done deal, according to the PKR leadership, which will evaluate his bid.

Meanwhile, several Sabah political observers said Salleh had directly approached the party president to have his membership approved, so as to restore the racial power balance in the state PKR.

Former state PKR member Gary Dominic said the chapter is dominated by the Chinese and Kadazandusun Murut ethnic groups.

“So, there is a need to have a Muslim-Bumiputera leader to balance the power in PKR.”

A PKR member, who requested anonymity, said Anwar wants to replace Liew as the state chapter’s chairman because she has failed to make PKR a commanding party in Sabah.

“This was seen in the seat negotiations between Parti Warisan Sabah, PKR and DAP ahead of GE14.”

PKR contested just six of Sabah’s 25 parliamentary seats and nine of its 60 state seats in the last elections.

Most of the seats were taken by Warisan, while DAP stood in three parliamentary and seven state seats.

The PKR source said it is possible that Anwar sees Salleh as the right leader to help PKR expand its power in the state.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah political analyst Lee Kuok Tiung believes that the state PKR will be further divided if Salleh joins, saying some groups “don’t like to share the cake with newcomers”.

“Some might feel that their positions will be threatened, and make moves to discredit or downgrade Salleh to maintain power,” said Lee, adding that the biggest issue is the position of the Chinese in the party. – October 8, 2019.