Amanah to go for at least 13 state seats
KUCHING: Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) wants to contest in at least 13 seats during the next state election, which can be held anytime before 2021.
Its deputy president Datuk Salahuddin Ayub said they were focusing on 13 seats which they lost during the last state election in 2016.
“The 13 seats will act as a baseline for the party to improve,” Salahuddin told a press conference after launching Amanah Sarawak’s election machinery here yesterday.
The number of seats is however yet to be finalised despite being principally agreed by Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who was also present at the launch.
Amanah has also identified a list of candidates to contest in the election, he added
“We have candidates made up of former and new individuals whom we feel can shoulder the responsibilities,” said Salahuddin, who is also Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, and Pulai MP.
He said the election machinery was launched rather early to enable the party to make early preparations, that was proven vital in the last general election.
With the election machinery, the party would be able to strategise and come up with new approaches to meet the needs and aspirations of the people.
Amanah election director Dr Hatta Ramli earlier told the 300odd crowd that the next Sarawak election would be a ‘sweet’ ride for the party.
“An election cannot be won by just having good candidates or with a lot of money. It also needs a good election machinery,” said Hatta, who is also Lumut MP.
Chong meanwhile congratulated Amanah Sarawak for being able to grow and has about 3,000 members who could help to change the Sarawak government.
“It is also about time to use a common logo in the next state election,” said Chong referring to the use of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) logo.
Chong who is also Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, also called for a united front from all the PH party members to fight against GPS.
Amanah Sarawak chairman Fidzuan Zaidi, Sarawak PKR Wanita chief Nurhanim Hanna Mokhsen and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong were also present at the function.