Grace Lee urges unity after stunning victory over Christina Liew in Kota Kinabalu PKR election
KOTA KINABALU (April 21): Grace Lee Li Mei, the giant killer who defeated Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew for the Kota Kinabalu PKR division chief post, has called for unity among party members.
In a statement today, Lee, 55, who pulled off a surprising victory over the 71-year-old three-term assemblywoman, emphasized that the win was a collective effort.
Christina Liew
'This victory belongs to all of us — it reflects our hard work, dedication and teamwork. Now, it's time to come together as one family, strengthen our division, and ensure the voices of Kota Kinabalu's people are heard,' she said.
Lee, who was treasurer for the division from 2023-24, secured 1,381 votes against Liew's 1,157 — a 224-vote margin in Sunday's election.
She served as Api Api community development officer under Liew's constituency from 2018-20 and again from 2023 to February 2025 when she was removed and replaced.
'Politics isn't about power; it's about service and love for the community,' added Lee who was formerly in the hospitality industry.
She vowed to remain a voice for the people.
The other prominent PKR figures in Sabah who were also unseated in the divisional polls were former Pensiangan division chief Raymond Ahuar who lost his post to Rufinah Pangeran, while in Kimanis, Awang Chuchu Amin was defeated by Niki Mohan Singh @ Mohana Singh Ramday.
In Tenom, Barani Ampise was replaced by Herbert Roger, while in Libaran, Ham Salleh lost to Abdul Said Pimping. In Kalabakan, Roslan Sapar was unseated by Albani Najawi.
Former Sabah PKR chief Datuk Sangkar Rasam managed to retain his position as Keningau division chief.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who is Sabah PKR Leadership Council (MPN) chairman, retained his post as the Kota Belud PKR Chief.
The Sepanggar MP won big when he received 1,405 votes in the contest against Madeli @ Modily Bangali (100 votes ) and Azhrie Jenaim (67 votes).
Sabah Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Datuk Peto Galim, who is the State PKR MPN deputy chairman, also defended his post as the Sepanggar PKR chief, while PKR Deputy Information Chief Mohammad Razeef Rakimin, who is also Sabah PKR Information Chief, defended his post as the Tuaran PKR Chief.
Other winners in the divisional polls included Stefly Said in Kudat, Datuk Husain Sahari in Putatan, Chang Ket Hoi @ Joseph Alex Chang in Penampang, Roslee Malek in Papar and Dikin Musah in Beaufort.
Also winning are Wendy Agong Baruh in Sipitang, Apirin bin Jahalan @ Taufik Sham in Ranau, Basran Omar in Beluran, Aris Remigius @ Haris Remigius in Batu Sapi, Sahrudin A Harol in Sandakan, Azmi Datu Tamboyong in Kinabatangan, Romansa Lamin in Silam, and Fung Thin Yein in Tawau.
The results were announced via the official PKR 2025 Election website at https://pemilihan.keadilanrakyat.org yesterday.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasir also failed to defend his post as Johor Bahru PKR chief.
The Johor Bahru Member of Parliament, who is also the party's strategic director, obtained 587 votes against Johor PKR Youth Chief Taufiq Ismail, who secured 709 votes.
For the Tebrau division chief, Segamat MP R. Yuneswaran failed to defend the post, losing unexpectedly to businessman Prakash Maniam in the three-cornered fight. The other contender is Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah.
Prakash secured 691 votes, while Yuneswaran, who is a PKR Central Leadership Council member, obtained 589 votes, and Puah, also Johor PKR vice-chief, received 560 votes.
In the Simpang Renggam division election, former Education Minister Maszlee Malik defended his post as the division leader, obtaining 125 votes against his challengers Wong Yung Chin (109 votes) and Yusof Rahman (82 votes).
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