Chia made Sabah PKR treasurer in reshuffle

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KOTA KINABALU: PKR Sabah’s line up for the 2015 to 2018 term sees current state chairman, Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, and his deputy, Christina Liew, retained in their respective posts.

Lajim, in announcing the new line up yesterday, said that Datuk James Ghani, formerly Sabah PKR secretary has been appointed vice president and joining him are Mustapha Sakmud and Stephen Sandor.

Datuk Maijol Mahap has been appointed to fill James’ post as secretary while Moyog assemblymen, Terrence Siambun, who was the former treasurer is now the Sabah PKR information chief.

Inanam assemblyman Dr Roland Chia is now the treasurer and Abdul Rahman Yaakub has been appointed coordinating secretary of Sabah PKR.

Lajim also revealed the names of the committee members, which included Penampang member of parliament, Darell Leiking, and former Sabah PKR chief, Ahmad Thamrin Jaini.

He added that the Women, Youth and Sri Kandi movements chiefs would be announced at a later date.

“We have also appointed the chiefs of a few bureaus and I will be heading the Political and Management Bureau while Christina will be head of Sabah PKR’s Discipline Bureau,” he said, adding that the state leadership will be setting up five new bureaus with Dr. Roland Chia expected to head one of them.

Lajim also made it clear that the appointments were made without any interference from PKR’s central leadership nor were there any pressure from any quarters.

“The appointments are made after taking into consideration that all races must be represented. As a matter of courtesy, I have informed party President, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah, of the appointments and she advised to me make sure that the lineup reflects representation for all races and religion as well as seniority in the party,” he said.

He added that the central Political Bureau did advise him about the need to consider matters like seniority in the party.

“For example, like Datuk James (Ghani), he is a senior member, and I was advised by the central leadership to appoint him as vice chairman to be given roles to play in several of our important bureaus,” Lajim stressed.

“So there is no pressure on the state leadership and this clearly reflects the autonomy that Sabah PKR has in decision making for the state. All this is done according to the party’s constitution which is special for Sabah and Sarawak.

“Article 5.8 of the Constitution speak about power sharing, strengthening politics and is also in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963. The central leadership understands the Constitution very well,” he pointed out.

Lajim also said that unlike other states, Sabah and Sarawak automatically become members of the PKR’s central Political Bureau.