KOTA KINABALU: Keen contests for second-echelon management positions in a number of Sabah political parties are set to happen over the subsequent few months as they maintain their respective annual congresses.
With the Registrar of Societies (RoS) declining requests for additional postponement of some political parties’ annual meets due since final yr, the congresses are anticipated to be held inside this yr.
Among the parties are Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Upko, Parti Warisan and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
With the exception of Opposition celebration Upko, whose president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau is more likely to be challenged by his vp Datuk Ewon Benedick, the opposite celebration presidents are anticipated to be returned unopposed.
PBS head Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, is predicted to retain his presidency when the celebration holds its thirty sixth and thirty seventh Annual Delegates Conferences again to again from June 28-July 1.
However, challenges are anticipated for a minimum of two of the three deputy presidents’ posts for the non-Muslim bumiputra and Chinese slots.
Party insiders will not be ruling out secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai as a possible contender for deputy president (non-Muslim bumiputra) at the moment held by Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, a Deputy Chief Minister.
Bangkuai has but to make it identified if he intends to go for the publish however insiders anticipate his determination “very quickly”.
PBS officers are additionally anticipating stiff fights for all different positions from vp to committee members.
Opposition Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and his deputy Datuk Darell Leiking are additionally anticipated to retain their respective positions.
However, celebration members are bracing to see a clamour for the vp’s slot left vacant by Datuk Peter Anthony, who give up final yr to type his personal celebration pleasant to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
They additionally anticipate a crowded subject for all different positions in the supreme council.
SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee can also be anticipated to retain the publish he has held since 1994 with celebration members indicating there are not any indicators of any problem on the Sept 3 annual congress.
However, celebration officers anticipate extra contests in different positions as a part of renewal in the celebration, a member of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition.
A standard concern amongst a lot of the parties’ officers is that fierce contests for senior celebration posts, and likewise at division degree, might have an effect on their standing with the grassroots forward of the looming fifteenth General Election.
It is learnt Warisan had utilized to postpone its congress however was advised to not by RoS, whereas PBS was additionally suggested to carry each its 2020 and 2021 delegates’ assembly again to again.
It is known Upko had additionally utilized to postpone its congress, though its divisions have been holding their annual conferences since early this month.
Due to the varied motion restrictions throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many parties couldn’t maintain their annual or biennial congresses.
With the easing of restrictions earlier this yr, RoS had urged political parties and associations to carry all conferences postponed throughout the pandemic.
