Sabah PKR chief Pajudin quits party

By Razlan Danial
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah PKR Liaison Chief, Pajudin Nordin, has quit PKR. He announced this at a hastily-called press conference held at Sri Gaya, the official residence of Sabah Chief Minister, Musa Aman Saturday evening.

Pajudin said he has lost confidence in PKR leadership. He also said he would hand in his application to join UMNO. Musa who was in attendance welcome Pajudin saying, Pajudin has made his own decision and that he would be accepted. 


Pajudin, 42, who is also PKR Tuaran vice-head, also disclosed that PKR divisional leaders would leave PKR very soon. "I have lost confidence in PKR leadership. PKR is not serious on Sabah matters... only for self-interest," he said adding Barisan Nasional on the other hand is more serious in solving many Sabah problems.

The press conference which lasted about 20 minutes (630pm-650pm) was also attended by several UMNO Youth members. Pajudin, who is close to PKR leader Ansari Abdullah, was appointed by PKR central only weeks ago ahead of more senior leaders.

The Arabic-speaking Pajudin had since been in difficult situation as twice he called PKR state liaison committee meeting but failed to get even half the number of the 25 divisional heads. Only six or seven divisional heads attended when the majority refused to recognise him.

However insiders said Pajudin decision to quit PKR today has something to do with the impending announcement by the central PKR who is expected to replace him, most possibly with its President, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Azizah meanwhile is scheduled to arrive here in Kota Kinabalu Sunday for a Chinese New Year being organised by senior leader Christina Liew.

She was understood to hold close-door meeting with Sabah PKR leaders, believed among others to relay an important message on the issue of possible replacement of Pajudin which has now become academic.

The vacant post of Sabah PKR Chief would now put the beleaguered party in deeper crisis as most of its grassroots leaders prefer an autonomous chapter of the party here.

The majority divisional heads recently had adopted a resolution to have Azizah as Sabah's head until a a more acceptable, both to Sabah leaders and the central, is found.

Insiders however claimed that Ansari may get the post now that he actually had given "a strong signal" to central PKR of a possible exodus among muslim leaders in the party.