KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Dr Sangkar Rasam insists that he is still Sabah PKR chairman despite calls for his resignation.
He said his position, which he held since 2022, remains legitimate according to the PKR constitution, which allows him to continue leading the party in Sabah.
He said that although the current situation is known to the president of the party Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, no changes have been made to the leadership of PKR Sabah.
"I am still the legitimate chairman, according to the constitution.
"What is important is cooperation to continue the struggle of this party, and we need to stand together in facing the State Election (PRN).
"The president is already aware (of the leadership upheaval of PKR in Sabah), but there is actually no upheaval occurring, only on social media.
"So, there is no problem, I am still holding party meetings, and despite what has been raised, there have been no changes," he told reporters at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) here.
Sangkar had just returned after attending the Central Leadership Council Meeting (MPP) of PKR in Kuala Lumpur.
At the airport, he was welcomed by a group of supporters who want him to continue as chairman of Sabah PKR.
Last week, 15 PKR division chiefs in Sabah, led by the chief of Kota Marudu branch, Sazalye Donol Abdullah, were reported to have signed statutory declarations (SD) expressing loss of confidence in Sangkar and requesting his resignation.
Commenting further on the demands of the involved group, Sangkar said he claimed not to know about their demands.
"If you believe the demands of the 15 division chiefs, I have nothing to say because it is not certain yet, each has his or her own interests. But, for me, whether it's 15 people or 20 people, we need to unite for the party especially with the upcoming PRN.
"I want to emphasise that we need to unite and stand together. Disputes within the party are common, but in the struggle of the party, we have a common goal that we need to achieve together," he said.
He also described the current situation within PKR Sabah as a family crisis that he needs to handle well as the leader of Sabah PKR.
"Even within our own family, problems can arise, let alone the large PKR family. So, let us as leaders handle what is happening wisely," he said.
Sangkar said that after this, he will meet with all the leaders of PKR Sabah and hold meetings, considering all party leaders as comrades fighting together for the party.