The Papar Chinese Chamber of Commerce denied that local businessman Chee Chi Vun would be a “parachute candidate”, saying he had been active in Api-Api through business and charitable work for a long time.

Its president, Cheoh High Weal, said Chee already had strong grassroots support, especially among the local Chinese community, Daily Express reported.

“Chee has proven his commitment to society and contributed significantly in the business, education, religious, and sports sectors. We fully support his intention to serve Api-Api,” said Cheoh.

Chee thanked the chamber for its support and vowed to earn the trust of the Api-Api voters.

He said PKR had a huge responsibility to develop Sabah as a key component of the federal government. “Through this platform, I aim to further serve and uplift the local community,” he said.

Chee had previously received the backing of the Sabah Professional Photographers Association, and the Sabah Judo Association.

The outgoing Api-Api assemblyman is Christina Liew, a former Sabah deputy chief minister, who failed to retain her position as Kota Kinabalu PKR chief in the party’s divisional elections in April.

The current Kota Kinabalu PKR chief is Lee Li Mei.

Yesterday, PKR’s election co-director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail played down reports that the majority of Sabah division chiefs were unhappy with parachute candidates being chosen by the top leadership.

Saifuddin said the list of candidates had not been finalised, with talks on seat allocations in the final phase.