Revoke Liew’s unethical appointment as Sabah PKR chief, say division heads

“We found out that the voting showed Tawau PKR chief Kong Hong Ming received 12 votes, followed by Liew who obtained 11 votes and Putatan PKR chief Awang Hussaini Awang Shaari who received only three votes,”

KOTA KINABALU - A group of 12 PKR division chiefs in Sabah have voiced their dissatisfaction over the appointment of Sabah PKR chief Christina Liew.

The group comprises division chiefs from Libaran, Sandakan, Silam, Beluran, Tawau, Kalabakan, Ranau, Kudat, Tuaran, Sepanggar, Tenom and Beaufort.

Speaking to FMT here today, their spokesperson Rahimah Majid, who is also PKR Supreme Council member, claimed that Liew’s appointment was not inline with the spirit of democracy as espoused by PKR.

“During a meeting with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim on Dec 9, all Sabah PKR division chiefs were asked to elect the chairman for the Sabah Leadership Council through secret voting.

“We were informed, the appointment will be announced after the party’s political bureau meeting on Dec 11.

“We found out that the voting showed Tawau PKR chief Kong Hong Ming received 12 votes, followed by Liew who obtained 11 votes and Putatan PKR chief Awang Hussaini Awang Shaari who received only three votes,” she said.

However, Rahimah said they were surprised when the final result was announced and Liew was said to have the highest number of votes and subsequently made the party’s state chief.

She alleged that the three who voted for Awang Hussein changed their allegiance and supported Liew, bringing her total number of votes to 14 despite the voting process having ended.

Rahimah said as such, Liew’s appointment was unethical and had neglected the aspirations of all Sabah PKR members.

She added that Liew’s leadership had proven to be damaging to the party’s status as she had failed to bring the party forward as seen in its performance in the general election where Sabah PKR only managed to win two state seats and three parliamentary seats.

“We therefore urge the party president to revoke this appointment. In the New Malaysia, it is important for PKR to show good party management.

“This should not have happened in Sabah as it could create a negative perception towards the leadership of PKR as a whole,” Rahimah said.

Liew is Sabah’s deputy chief minister, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Tawau MP and Api-Api assemblyman.

She took over as the Sabah PKR chief after Lajim Ukin quit in 2016 to form Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, now part of the opposition.