AZMIN GIVES UP SABAH POST TO LOCAL LEADER.

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah Liaison Chairman, Azmin Ali, Thursday announced that he was stepping down to allow a local leader to take over the helm of the party in the State.

Party President Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is expected to announce this Sunday who would helm the party.

Azmin said his decision to step aside was not due to pressure from any party or individual but just part of the understanding struck when he was appointed to head the State-level leadership.

"No, absolutely not, it was not because of pressure. We never bow to any threat or anything. We have been doing party reshuffling for the last 10 years and there is no problem for us," he said.

Azmin took over the State Liaison Chairman post several months ago from Ansari Abdullah, with an understanding between him and the party's President and Supreme Council that it would be just on a temporary basis.

"(Also) I am not resigning from the post. The understanding was that my appointment since day one by the President and Supreme Council of the party is on a temporary basisÉthis happened not only in Sabah but also in Sarawak," he explained.

The understanding at that time was for me and Mustapa Kamil in Sarawak to coordinate and assist our colleagues in Sabah and Sarawak to mobilise support and further strengthen the party, he said.

"And we believe within these three to four months our colleagues in Sabah and Sarawak have the capacity to move on as a strong, united and formidable force. And here I am to give my full support to my colleagues in Sabah to continue with the struggleÉso it is not about resigning," said Azmin.

He was speaking to reporters after he chaired a special meeting - his last as State Liaison Chairman - at the party's headquarters along Jalan Bundusan, here. It was attended by all party senior leaders and division chiefs in Sabah, including Ansari, Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Christina Liew, among others.

The meeting was meant to discuss several developments related to politics and the party in Sabah, its performance at the state level, preparation to face the next general election, as well as about him letting go of the post.

To another question, Azmin said the party's branch leaders would be submitting several names as possible candidates to fill the vacant post and that all have agreed to leave it to the President who is expected to announce it on Sunday.

To another question on whether Ansari would be re-appointed to fill the post, Azmin did not wish to drawn into any speculation.

"We are confident the party President can make the right decision for the interest of the party in Sabah," he said.

As to whether the new state liaison chairman would be a Muslim, Azmin said that does not arise.

"Don't be too fanatical about religion or racial matters, because Keadilan is a multiracial and national-based party which belongs to all, including the people of Sabah and Sarawak," he said.