Kota Kinabalu: Sabah PKR Chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said there was a mistake in the way Api-Api candidate Thonny Chee
(pic) introduced to voters, following questions over his professional credentials.
“This has become an issue recently,” Mustapha said, addressing the controversy surrounding Thonny’s background ahead of the state election.
Questions have emerged on social media about whether Thonny holds valid legal qualifications after being introduced as a lawyer by PKR leaders, including party President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Home Minister Datuk Saifuddin.
The matter gained traction when Thonny reportedly refused to comment, prompting opposition and public to demand transparency.
According to Mustapha, while Thonny studied law, his official resume never claimed he was a practising lawyer.
“In fact, in his biodata, he never said that he is a lawyer. But he took law studies. As far as I know, some practise law, and some do not practise law.”
He defended the party’s candidate screening process, noting Thonny had cleared security checks by government agencies, including the National Security Council.
"If he did not pass, we would not have put him up as a candidate. As we know, there were candidates we tried to put up but were changed at the last minute because they did not pass the checks,” he said.
Mustapha said he is confident in Thonny’s suitability for the seat, citing his experience as a former close aide to Datuk Seri Christina Liew and his previous candidacy for the Kudat parliamentary seat.
“I think he (Thonny) has the credentials who can bring the constituency to a better level with his experience,” he said, adding that Thonny was also previously Sri Pelancongan Chief Executive Officer under Liew.
On claims about Thonny’s banking career, with some bank staff reportedly saying they did not recognise him, Mustapha said he has discussed arranging a dedicated session, possibly a podcast, for the candidate to address questions directly.
On bankruptcy concerns, Mustapha pointed to the Election Commission’s (EC) nomination day verification as proof of eligibility.
“Even during nomination day, the EC will check. The fact that he is accepted as a candidate means he is not bankrupt.
“I think he can also help our friends, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe and Chan Loong Wei, in Luyang. Together we will uplift Kota Kinabalu and Inanam,” Mustapha said.
