Kota kinabalu: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded the party’s candidates for the Sabah state election and election machinery to go to the ground, engage with the people, and explain current issues affecting the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the reminder was conveyed by the prime minister during his speech at the PKR President’s Mandate Ceremony held here today ahead of the 17th Sabah state election at the end of this month. Senior Political Secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin highlighted Anwar’s emphasis on the importance of PKR candidates and machinery to reach out to the people and explain the government’s efforts in addressing local issues.

‘In this context, cooperation and coordination between the Federal Government and the Sabah State Government must be strengthened to ensure the best service delivery to the people,’ Shamsul stated after the event. He also mentioned the need for close collaboration between the PKR machinery in Sabah and party teams at the central, state, and division levels nationwide to strengthen preparations ahead of the state polls.

‘All party leaders have been mobilised to go down to the ground together with divisional leaders in Sabah. The Central Leadership Council and state leaders will be assigned to assist with the campaign here,’ Shamsul added.

Meanwhile, Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud noted that the president’s mandate underscored the need for thorough preparation by the party’s machinery and candidates to engage the people and explain fundamental issues affecting them. ‘The message is clear – the machinery must be fully prepared to go to the ground and address grassroots issues such as water supply, roads, education, and economic development,’ Mustapha stated.

He further mentioned that the campaign should focus on explaining the MADANI Government’s initiatives in resolving local issues involving the Sabah State Government. Commenting on Datuk Ewon Benedick’s resignation as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Mustapha remarked that it was premature, noting that there is still room for discussion on the 40 per cent Sabah revenue claim issue.

‘The decision on whether to appeal the (High Court) ruling on the 40 per cent revenue entitlement for Sabah has not yet been made, and there is still ample room for dialogue to discuss the matter,’ he concluded.