Premier spells out criteria for election candidates

SIBU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says aspiring candidates for election must fulfill two criteria: ability and community acceptance.

“You can’t simply contest abruptly. Even I had to wait before contesting because when it comes to elections, we need to consider ability and acceptance, as it involves socio-cultural factors.

“If the aspirants are met, regardless of background or location, if the community accepts, why not?” said the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu president at a press conference held after the launching of the PBB Youth Wing here today.

Abang Johari was responding to a question posed by reporters on whether members of the newly launched PBB Youth Wing would be selected as candidates for the next election.

He added that with every election, PBB implements a 30 per cent new faces policy.

“This is because we must have new faces, old faces, and experienced individuals in the same boat. You see, young people often move too quickly. If the boat moves too fast, you won’t see the log ahead, and you might capsize,” he said.

He emphasised that leaders need to progress smoothly and with patience to ensure they know how to lead.

“If you are not patient enough, we have had colleagues before who were ‘fast’ while we maintained our pace. Those who were rushing are no longer around, and we need to learn from that.

“This is a lesson because you have to learn and after that, once you are elected, you are fully equipped to interact with the poor, interact with the middle class, interact with other races and other religions,” he said.

He warned leaders not to play with religion as it is dangerous, but advised them to balance all the stakeholders in a diverse society.