KOTA KINABALU: A new political party, Gemilang Anak Sabah, has been launched with the hope of taking over the state government.
Gemilang Anak Sabah president Jismit Japong said anyone with the financial capacity and political interest to stand as candidates were welcome to approach the party as they are looking at contesting in 55 seats, excluding areas with sure-win incumbents.
"We are heading into the state election with the aim of winning, not suicide. That is why seats that we pick are those that we know we have a chance of winning," he said, adding this will be mainly a self-funded election for Gemilang Anak Sabah.
He said the areas they are looking at contesting would include Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s Sulaman state seat as well as Klias, because he is from Klias.
Jismit, who was previously with Umno, then Sabah Star and later Parti Warisan, said Gemilang Anak Sabah will move solo, and negotiations of any merger or cooperation will only be open after the state elections.
He said outsiders or non-local parties would not be considered.
Among the changes Gemilang Anak Sabah hopes to bring if it wins the coming state elections is to set up a Resource and Mining Development Ministry and to have a workforce ratio of 40:30:30, meaning 40% for men, 30% women and 30% for male and female youths.
Jismit said the focus is to rid the state of corruption and focus on developing Sabah’s infrastructure, economy, free and affordable education from primary to tertiary levels and other important sectors.
He said no assemblymen or cabinet members would be allowed to personally handle projects or development deals, while a special committee will be set up to oversee these matters.
He said while state rights would remain their number one priority, only the state can speak or raise issues pertaining to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 or the 40% revenue owed to the state.
“That is not your job but the state’s duty to handle,” Jismit said, adding that they would not allow outsiders like the federal government to manage state affairs or decide its future, policy directions and other matters.
He said issues of illegal immigrants will be left to the federal government to handle, as those are federal responsibilities.
He said if given the mandate, Gemilang Anak Sabah would focus on bringing more development and positive changes in various aspects for the people and state, while assuring that previous state debts owed to the federal government would be cleared by those who helmed the government during the periods the debts were incurred.
"We want to form the government as a single party, and if we are not able to do so as a single party, we want to be part of the state government," Jismit stressed.
He said a full manifesto would be launched soon after the assembly is dissolved.
He urged party members to stick to issues that matter and prevent personal attacks when campaigning for the party.
