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TAWAU: Parti Daulat Sabah (PDS) pledged to provide details of its political funding to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) before contesting in the state election.

Its President Datuk Seri Azizul Tandek said PDS wants to be the first political party to do so because its agenda is transparent for Sabah’s future, particularly youths. 

“We hope more political parties in Sabah will come forward and declare their political finances, to ensure clean and transparent state elections. 

“This is an important effort to produce clean leaders and prevent future abuse of power,” he said during a recent DSAT Group Ramadan Iftar ceremony with orphans at a restaurant here. 

The former Merotai candidate in the 14th General Election said PDS is committed to promoting integrity and youth development, and intends to field candidates in every state seat. 

“We want to declare our political funds in response to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call to fight corruption at all levels while avoiding speculation and issues that question political party funds from illegal sources,” he said. 

He said PDS has been attempting to get its registration approved for the past four years, including through the appeals process, after being rejected without explanation by the Registrar of Societies. 

“I will meet with Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail soon to seek approval, as it is understood that the subsequent process is now on the Minister’s desk.” 

“For me, this is the right of every citizen to speak through the association platform of their choice to protect their rights as enshrined in the national constitution,” he said. 

He said the purpose of PDS is to restore the rights of the people of Sabah so that the State can flourish in accordance with the Sabah Maju Jaya slogan, which existed even before Malaysia existed; however, the definition is perceived beyond the box of thought. 

“We want to ensure that the young people of Sabah are able to compete in any state and even if they migrate, they get jobs commensurate with Sabah’s contribution to Malaysia,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the programme at hand involved distributing donations to those in need. Azizul said this is an annual event organised by his company as part of their corporate social responsibility, in conjunction with Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.