‘We must be ready for GE’: Sabah Pakatan revamps line-up after AGM

KOTA KINABALU, June 7 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah has restructured its leadership lineup as part of efforts to strengthen the coalition’s operations and prepare for the next general election (GE), its chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said.

Speaking at a press conference after the PH Sabah Annual General Meeting here on Sunday, Mustapha said the reshuffle was aimed at leveraging the experience of senior leaders while reinforcing the coalition’s organisational machinery.

“We have just concluded the 2025 PH Sabah Annual General Meeting, during which we discussed the restructuring of several key positions within the coalition. One of the reasons for the restructuring is that we want to make the best use of the experience of our senior leaders. We also need to strengthen the operations of PH as we prepare for the next General Election,” he said.

Mustapha, who is also PKR Sabah liaison chairman, will remain PH Sabah chairman, assisted by DAP Sabah chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe and Amanah Sabah chairman Datuk Lahirul Latigu as deputy chairmen.

The meeting also agreed to appoint former senior civil servant Datuk Ruji Ubi as PH Sabah secretary, while Datuk Chan Foong Hin will continue to oversee information affairs as information chief.

Irwan Shah Mustapa of Amanah was named treasurer, while Zaidi Jatil remains youth chief, Datuk Jannie Lasimbang women’s chief and Datuk Peto Galim election director.

Mustapha said Ruji’s vast administrative experience would be an asset to the coalition.

“As we all know, Datuk Ruji is a former secretary-general in several ministries and we hope he can help strengthen PH Sabah from the operational aspect,” he said.

Although the next General Election may only be due next year, Mustapha said the coalition could not afford to be complacent given the evolving political landscape.

“We have only recently recovered from the state election and have had enough time to rest and regroup. From today’s discussions, I can see that the spirit and enthusiasm have returned and we must be ready for the next General Election,” he said.

On his own political future, Mustapha said he would defend the Sepanggar parliamentary seat if given the mandate by the party leadership.

“If the President and the party leadership continue to place their trust in me, I will defend the Sepanggar parliamentary seat. I believe Datuk Chan (Kota Kinabalu MP) will do the same. PH Sabah will defend the seats it won the the last general election,” he said.

Asked whether PH Sabah component parties would contest under their respective party logos in the coming GE, Mustapha said discussions were ongoing and they will take into account the latest developments before making any decision.

Mustapha also downplayed the impact of recent defections involving PKR leaders in Sabah, saying only two divisional chiefs had left the party so far.

“Based on our records, including those discussed at the PKR State Leadership Council meeting this morning, only the Tuaran and Semporna division chiefs, together with several committee members, have left the party,” he said.

He stressed that the departures had not affected the operations of either division.

When asked whether he expected more PKR members in Sabah to leave and join a new political party, Mustapha said the initial exodus was unlikely to be repeated on a larger scale.

“We cannot underestimate the possibility, but based on the first wave, only two divisional leaders have left the party,” he said. — The Borneo Post pic