Lee Kuok Tiung of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said a rotating system could foster unity and shared ownership among Sabah PH component parties, provided that it was executed with a clear and structured mechanism.

“Introducing a rotation system for the Sabah PH chairmanship among component parties could help mitigate power struggles and ensure balanced representation,” he told FMT.

Tony Paridi Bagang of Universiti Teknologi Mara Sabah meanwhile said that resolving this “crisis” would require a “win-win” approach to maintain harmony between PKR and Upko.

“Perhaps a new mechanism should be considered, such as rotating the PH chairmanship, especially if election-based results continue to be contested,” he said.

In the Sabah PH election, PKR’s Christina Liew was ousted as state chairman, a post she had held since 2017, after losing to Upko president Ewon Benedick by three votes.

Sabah PKR subsequently argued that the chairmanship should remain with the party, based on an agreed formula among coalition members.

However, Sabah DAP chief Phoong Jin Zhe defended Ewon’s election and denied there was a rule stipulating that the state PH chairmanship must be held by PKR.

Lee said Sabah PH should focus on unity and address pressing issues that matter to Sabahans, such as the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

“PH must tread carefully to ensure that this issue is not weaponised by rival parties to portray the coalition as unstable or out of touch with Sabah’s needs,” he said.

Lee also reminded PH that voting patterns in Sabah during state elections differ from those of general elections, requiring localised strategies.

“Internal squabbles like this could reinforce the perception that PH, as a national entity, does not fully understand or respect local political sensitivities,” he said.

Within Sabah PH, DAP leads with four state assembly seats, followed by PKR with two, and Upko with one.