Kota Kinabalu: The breakaway group of the five-month-old Parti Gemilang Anak Negeri Sabah (GAS) may be forced to contest the coming 17th Sabah election as Independents, if their registration to RoS under “Parti Gemilang Sabah” (PGS) fails to materialise in time.
PGS founder cum protem president Dato’ Jismit Japong said he decided to form a new party after he and 52 Supreme Council members decided to leave GAS due to unresolved issues.
He said the PGS Independents would contest as the “Gemilang Sabah Group”.
“The Gemilang Sabah Group leadership line-up has been formed, comprising me as the president, four deputy presidents, five vice-presidents and 25 committee members — with 10 representing the East Coast and 15 from the West Coast,” he said, Thursday.
He said they would target 55 State seats, the same vied by GAS.
“Under Gemilang Sabah Group, we will maintain remain the candidacy formula of allocating 40% (23 candidates) of the State seats for veterans to contest, 30% (16 candidates) youths, 30% women including Puteri (16 candidates).
“We are still practising the open tender process of selecting our independent candidates.
“They must at least have an educational background and present a five-year master plan on what they intend to do if elected by the people.,” he said.
“Our agenda will not change. We will continue to fight for justice and to defend the rights of Sabahans and the State,” he said.