Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud, born on July 9, 1968, in Kota Belud, Sabah, is a prominent Malaysian politician and engineer. He has been serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sepanggar since November 2022 and was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education in December 2023. In May 2024, he assumed the role of State Chairman of the People's Justice Party (PKR) in Sabah, reflecting his significant influence within the party and the state's political landscape.
Mustapha's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a Master of Business Administration from Universiti Malaysia Sabah. His professional career spans various engineering and managerial roles, notably as an Instrument Engineer at Sabah Forest Industries and as a Manager and Engineer at Telekom Malaysia Berhad.
His political journey began with his election as the MP for Sepanggar in the 15th General Election, where he secured a majority of 7,042 votes. As Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mustapha has been instrumental in promoting mental health awareness among students and ensuring support for those from underprivileged backgrounds. His leadership in PKR Sabah underscores his commitment to advancing the party's objectives and addressing the needs of the Sabah community.
Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud's blend of technical expertise and political acumen positions him as a key figure in Sabah's development, particularly in the realms of education and socio-economic progress.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) is focusing on resolving internal matters before engaging in alliance negotiations for the upcoming state election. Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud shared that a committee has been formed to discuss seat allocations among PH’s component parties, with several meetings already underway.
Internal Discussions Take Priority
In a recent Facebook post, Mustapha highlighted the coalition's strategy to finalize its internal seat negotiations before exploring alliances with other parties or coalitions.
“We appreciate the Sabah chief minister’s proposal for a seat negotiation committee under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to strengthen political stability and partnerships,” he noted.
PH’s approach emphasizes fairness and inclusivity, covering a broad range of positions, from appointed assemblymen to roles in government-linked companies and local community leadership. This strategy aims to ensure balanced representation and governance.
Collaboration with BN and GRS
Both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) have expressed interest in collaborating with PH for the state election, which must be held by October 2025.
BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the coalition’s willingness to work with PH, emphasizing their alignment as the foundation for Sabah’s electoral strategy. This stance has been endorsed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a recent unity government secretariat meeting.
Similarly, Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor announced that GRS would form a committee to discuss electoral strategies with its coalition partners, including PH.
Local Dominance Advocated by GRS Partners
Despite the collaborative outlook, major GRS parties such as Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Parti Bersatu Sabah continue to advocate for local parties to maintain a dominant role in Sabah’s administration.
Looking Ahead
As negotiations progress, Sabah PH’s emphasis on internal unity demonstrates its commitment to a cohesive strategy. By addressing internal dynamics first, the coalition positions itself for more effective discussions with potential allies, aiming to ensure stability and balanced representation in Sabah’s governance.
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