Kota Kinabalu: Parti Tempatan Rakyat Sabah (PTRS) – the latest of many parties to surface with the Sabah elections imminent – said it will be adopting open tender to select eligible candidates to contest.
Its President Jismit Japong said this is to prevent favouritism as well as practise full transparency.
“I believe PTRS is the first to adopt the open tender concept which is open for all, to select credible and qualified candidates.
“It can likened to open tender in bidding for projects by companies.
“PTRS is also the first party in the country to offer the public the opportunity to apply to be candidates.
“I am confident we will receive encouraging response when the time is right,” said Jismit during a meet-up session with party members.
Jismit said selection of candidates would be based on merit and presentations including looking into their vision, mission and proposals for the State constituency he or she wishes to represent.
“The party will set up a special committee for the selection process comprising Supreme Council members to assess the applications.
“I can assure that the assessment of all the applications received will be conducted fairly. Most importantly, we want candidates who are vocal and passionate in fighting for Sabah’s rights,” he said.
As for number of State seats, Jismit said they are eyeig to contest 55 state seats in the imminent PRN17 in which their candidates will contest in 60 per cent of the seats in the West Coast and 40 per cent in the East Coast.
According to him, PTRS will field new and old faces whereby they will field 30pc of the seats to women, another 30pc to credible youths and remaining 40pc to veterans.
He said they are also targeting Muslim Bumiputra seats and non-Muslim Bumiputra seats.
“We plan to contest the 55 seats as solo and will not collaborate with other parties.
“Nonetheless, we might consider future collaborations with others depending the election results,” he said.
Among party struggle is the party’s slogan “Towards a Change in Sabah’s Leadership” and “Our Victory, the People’s Success.” and they aim not to politicise the public infrastructures and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) if the party wins in the State election.
He said the party also focused on safeguarding the State and Sabahans rights as enshrined in the MA63 and Federal Constitution as well as championing economic development, youth empowerment and social welfare.
It strongly believed in women’s empowerment and vital role in State’s development by making sure 30pc of the State Cabinet will be women holding decision-making positions.
