'Full autonomy' to Sabah PKR, DAP on candidates
Published on: Thursday, February 09, 2017
Penampang: State PKR and DAP said they have been given full autonomy by their respective central leadership to make the call regarding the choice of candidates and seats for the coming general election.Both parties have now begun the process of identifying names of potential candidates and seats in Sabah and reaffirmed their readiness to work as a team, together with Amanah and possibly any other local opposition parties, to topple the Barisan Nasional (BN)."We are in the process of identifying names of potential candidates that have been recommended and submitted by the branch heads," said Sabah PKR Chairman Christina Liew.
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She said all the names submitted will then be filtered to ensure only those whom the party believes are truly winnable will be selected as candidates.After the internal process is done, the party will meet with State DAP and Amanah leaders to further the discussion and negotiation on their choice of seats, she said.She assured that the three parties in the coalition will decide on a common understanding of wanting to place candidates whom they are convinced can win against the BN, and are unified in the process of going against the ruling coalition in a straight fight."In one or two weeks we'll be ready," she said of the Sabah PKR's list of candidates and seats to contest.
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Liew also said the State PKR has been given full autonomy to filter the candidates within the framework of the party's candidate selection system.She, however, did not elaborate on the question about cooperation with other local opposition parties except saying that the State PKR will deal with the matter after finalising its list of candidates.
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State DAP Chairman Stephen Wong echoed her words, saying the party has also been given full autonomy to select its candidates in Sabah."We've identified the seats we want to contest and we're ready for the election," he said.He also said the party is open for negotiation with fellow Pakatan Harapan colleagues and other local opposition parties on seat allocation so long all are in agreement about one another's strengths and weaknesses."(There is) no point in saying you want the seat but you don't have the support. It will only jeopardise our chance of winning the election," he said.He assured that Pakatan Harapan Sabah has developed an understanding among themselves.While State PKR and DAP have set their sights on who they want to place in which seats, newcomer Amanah said they will accept whatever the decision made by Pakatan Harapan and promised to lend their full support in the election."We're still a young party. But come election time, we will give our full support," said State Amanah Secretary Abdillah Matlin.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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