KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which is the backbone of the ruling coalition in Sarawak, will soon submit its list of potential candidates for the next General Election (GE14) to several agencies for vetting.
Party president and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg said the list would be submitted to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Immigration Department and the police.
The move, he said, was the manifestation of the party’s pledge to not only offer winnable candidates but also those who were clean from committing any offence.
“None of the candidates can avoid the background checks if they want to contest under PBB's ticket.
"I don't want anyone (in the party) to take things for granted (for being in PBB). I will make sure our candidates are 'really' qualified to represent the people," he said.
"We need to have several agencies to support us in the screening process as we will not be able to access all the information, such as criminal records or having dual-citizenship."
Speaking to the reporters after the launch of PBB Satok branch delegates conference here, Abdul Rahman Zohari, who is also Sarawak Barisan Nasional chairman, said the party would also consider submitting the list to the customs department and Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
"I don't want any PBB candidate to be disqualified at the last minute or after being elected. It is a waste of time and people's money," he said.
The chief minister called on other BN component parties to conduct the screening process before finalising their candidate list.
"It's not a must but I hope they will follow what we are doing. Besides, I think we should learn from the Pujut incident, which is a controversial case and is still in the court," he said.
He also said there would be new faces in the PBB for the upcoming general election. However, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would have the final say.
"This is our culture, we don't fight as the seniors are willing to step down to give chances to new people. We struggle for the people, not for the benefit of ourselves," he said.
He also assured that his party would not field any candidate who was already a state assemblyman.
"We will not have anyone holding two positions; as a state assemblyman and a member of parliament. Let's us give opportunity to other potential people," he said, adding the other parties should do so as well.