Mustapha says he is ready to head Sabah PKR if appointed

KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud is ready to lead the crisis-riddled Sabah PKR if the national leadership appoints the state chairman.

Mustapha, the Kota Belud PKR division chief and Sepanggar MP, however, said that the decision is up to party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who would also consult 26 party division chiefs.

“We will see if the division heads and the president entrust me with the responsibility. I am ready to shoulder this responsibility,” he said when asked about rumours that he could be the next Sabah PKR, a position currently under the embattled Datuk Dr Sangkar Rasam.

“What is important now is unity in the party leadership because, without unity, there is fear that the party leadership would be able to form a single team.

“So I think we leave it to the party president to choose the best.

“We will accept any decision based on the party’s constitution, which requires the leader of the state PKR to get the support of the majority of the division heads,” he said at the Higher Education Ministry @UiTM Sabah Ramadan Celebration Ceremony here.

Mustapha was among 15 division heads who signed statutory documents calling for Sangkar to step down or be replaced due to his alleged failure to lead the party in the state on March 17.

Mustapha said the Sabah PKR machinery needs to be strengthened in preparation for the State Election, which may happen at any time.

“We want a leader who can lead the state PKR so that we can deal with the number of seats and areas to be contested.

“This will enable us to move our machinery on the ground as well as increase programmes. We need to have a change.

“Otherwise, we fear that we will be left behind with other parties moving ahead already,” he said, adding that the members were worried the party seemed in no hurry to prepare for the state election due next year.

He hopes that the party president would be able to make a quick decision and “move on” because whoever is appointed as Sabah PKR chairman would have the party’s support.

Mustapha said the party president is expected to come to Sabah on April 20 for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at the state level and would possibly meet with the division heads before making a decision on Sabah PKR chairman post.