Joseph Chang to defend his party position in Penampang

18 April 2025

PENAMPANG: Penampang PKR chief Joseph Alex Chang has announced his decision to defend his position in the party branch-level leadership election on April 20.

He will be challenged by three candidates while the Women’s top position will see a three-cornered contest and Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK), two candidates.

“The Penampang branch of the People’s Justice Party (PKR) is preparing for this election,” Joseph Chang said.

He said PKR is witnessing a new wave of leadership where he has come forward to offer himself to retain his position as the branch chief during PKR’s branch-level election.

He is confident that he can bring reform to the area he is currently serving through the party’s activities and community work he regularly carries out.

He is currently the Chairman of the Penampang Health Clinic Advisory Panel (PPKK) where this panel functions as a mediator between the health department and the public who need health services.

“I will continue to implement our planning to ensure trust among the grassroots prevail and at the same time to empower real reform.

“Age is not an excuse not to continue with the party’s struggle in this district,” he said.

Joseph, who is of Sino-Kadazan descent, is now 79.

He said he is offering the party his extensive experience in various fields including politics to strengthen it a higher level.

He has good relations with state and central party leaders, thus he is confident that he can bring about big changes to Penampang if he is elected.

“The election at the PKR National Congress this year is held to ensure stability in the leadership of the tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia to continue leading the party and the country,” he said.

PKR Penampang, he said, is far-sighted and will continue to stand firm behind Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“I pledge my full support to the party leadership to continue leading this country as Prime Minister,” he said, adding that Anwar is a visionary leader and one of the best Malaysian leaders.

Joseph stated that PKR Penampang supports the statement by Sazalye Donol Abdullah, Secretary of the Sabah State Leadership Council (MPN), who firmly endorses and has confidence in Sabah’s Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

“Sazalye has expressed full confidence in Hajiji’s leadership to continue guiding Sabah, focusing on empowering and strengthening the state’s economy to stabilise Sabah’s politics,” he added.

He also expressed confidence in the support for Women’s Head candidate Sasha Kidi and AMK member Eldridge Laurence, who will be contesting in the party election.

Joseph urged all candidates to remain united and to cooperate fully throughout the election campaign.

The party, he said, does not encourage the culture of attacking any personality within PKR but urges everyone participating in it to contest in a health environment via the spirit of camaraderie for the sake of the party’s future.

“Any unwarranted issues will not do the party any benefit but will damage the reputation of the individual and ultimately the party. Hence, I urge everyone to support the winner.

“Stability is important for progress as struggle with less conflict can strengthen the party,” he said.

He also urges party members to display good manners and conduct to prevent any issues.

He emphasises the importance of maintaining the party's name, image, and reputation, particularly in Penampang.

Joseph joined PKR in 2005 and actively campaigned for the party in 2010. He replaced Kenny Chua, who left the party in 2020.

The Sabah PKR election will be held on 20 April, with the central election in Kuala Lumpur scheduled for May.