JOHOR BARU: The People's Progressive Party (MyPPP) will fully support use of the direct candidate system to resolve any dispute regarding seat allocation among Barisan Nasional component parties for the 14th General Election (GE14).
Its president Tan Sri M Kayveas said the system was a better option than allocating a seat based on tradition, which only worked in the past.
"I totally agree with the suggestion by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. I hope it will be implemented for the next general election," said Kayveas.
In an interview with the New Straits Times, Zahid said he had not ruled out the possibility of adopting the direct candidate formula, which was successfully used in the last Sarawak state election, when it came to resolving disputes in certain seats among BN component parties.
However, he said consensus among BN component parties was the better process to decide on candidacy.
“But, above all, I trust in Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak to make a fair decision (on choice of candidates)," said Zahid.
Kayveas said in some cases, candidates who contest in traditional seats would become complacent and would not work hard for the people.
"BN should allocate seats to candidates who can deliver and I believe MyPPP can deliver in Cameron Highlands in the next general election,' said Kayveas.
He was speaking to the media after attending the Johor MyPPP Convention which was opened by Johor Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad. Also present was Johor MyPPP chairman Datuk Dr Siva Kumar.
In a related matter, Kayveas said the party would ask to contest in one state seat in Johor in the next general election as the party believed it had the support to deliver a victory based on the work it had done at the grassroots level.
"I believe this time around MyPPP has the strength and support from the grassroots to deliver in GE14. I think we have better support than some of the other BN component parties.
"It is only right that BN acknowledges the support that MyPPP has garnered in the state, which comes not only from the Indian community but also from the Chinese and Orang Asli communities," said Kayveas.
Dr Siva said the party currently had 24 divisions with about 53,000 members in Johor.
"We have identified several seats where we have the potential to win and will make a request to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin when the time comes," he said.