KOTA KINABALU: Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang is mulling passing the baton to a younger candidate to defend the Kapayan seat for DAP.
The 62-year-old incumbent said the consideration was not merely because of her health condition after she was treated for breast cancer in 2021.
"It is the decision of the party (on fielding candidates). Apart from health, which is not much of an issue for me now, I have been training people.
"If I could get the right person by that time (of the state election) next year, I would definitely give it to a younger person.
"I really don't mind. I have done a lot of things, I am already 62, I think retirement is good and I am looking forward to it.
"But, I also feel that we must have good people to maintain the seat and represent the people in Kepayan,"she told the reporters after a DAP fundraising dinner here last night.
The Wanita DAP international secretary also said that Pakatan Harapan has advocated for 30 per cent women candidates.
To achieve this target, Jannie said PH needs to groom more women as candidates in advance so they would be more visible during elections.
In Sabah, the Women's Wing will commence its 'Jelajah' programme across the state, particularly in seats where its members might contest.
Sabah DAP intends to defend the seats it won in the 2020 state elections, including Likas, Luyang, Kapayan, Tanjong Papat, Elopura, and Sri Tanjong.
Jannie said that the fundraising dinner held last night was aimed at supporting the party's programmes, which would also include activities related to women's health.