SANDAKAN – Component parties under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner in Sabah are still in discussion over which party will lead the coalition, according to United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said the matter is being discussed between Upko and Sabah PKR, DAP, and Amanah in past PH meetings, adding that no decision has been made yet.
“I cannot preempt the situation but it is being discussed, and it will be continued during PH meetings.
“However, we are now listening to feedback from each component party.
“We have to consider all aspects before making a decision,” he said when met by reporters after he launched the Madani Entrepreneur Programme at Mile 14, here today.
Benedick also said that the date of the next Sabah PH meeting has yet to be finalised.
The position of Sabah PH chief has been held by PKR’s Api-Api assemblyman Datuk Christina Liew since 2016.
However, Liew’s post was recently questioned by Upko information chief Peter Jr Naintin who called for the leadership of Sabah PH to be reshuffled. He also suggested for Upko to take the lead.
In February, Liew was reported to have brushed off calls for her to step down, stating that the decision to appoint the PH state chief was solely under the purview of PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Liew is currently Sabah tourism, culture, and environment minister, while Benedick (Penampang MP, Kadamaian assemblyman) is the federal entrepreneur and co-operatives development minister.
Upko officially joined PH in August 2021, making it the only Sabah-based party in the coalition.
In 2022, when contesting the Penampang federal seat, Benedick said the leadership of Sabah PH may be reshuffled to allow Upko to lead, which could be a good move to have a state-based party as the leader of the PH coalition in Sabah. – March 23, 2024