KOTA KINABALU: Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air Malaysia (Parti KITA) has extended its wings to Sabah.
Like other states, there is only one branch set up at the state level, and it is led by former federal and state minister Datuk Pengiran Othman Rauf.
“I am the chairman of the pro-tem committee in Sabah and also the party chairman, a number two post, at the national level,” said the veteran politician when contacted yesterday.
Thanking Parti KITA chief Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and also the Central Executive Committee for placing their trust on him, Othman, who has been in politics for four decades, said they had begun the membership drive throughout the state, and to date had attracted some 200 members.
Othman stressed that Parti KITA would be a new alternative for voters on national politics, particularly in Sabah.
“I can assure you that we will do our very best in carrying out the mandate given to us. I have a lot of friends out there. As leader of the party in Sabah, I can only say everyone is welcomed to join us.
“We stand for democracy, for justice, for freedom, peace and progress. We believe in honesty, good government, liberalisation and fairness to all,” said Othman.
On the party’s expansion to Sabah, he described it as “a new horizon in Sabah politics,” adding that they would be appointing chairmen to head the coordinating bodies at the zones, parliamentary and state constituencies, to prepare for the coming general elections.
”Recruitment for party members is also on-going at our office in Putatan Square,” he said.
Othman added they were embarking on a new political approach, stressing that they have a firm commitment and understanding with the Kuala Lumpur leaders.
“They give us the freedom and full control to handle the party and government matters in Sabah. This mandate will give Sabah leaders greater responsibilities and full control of state affairs.
“Also, the new approach of decentralisation enhances power-sharing between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. I think this is the time we Sabahans should shoulder more responsibilities and have more say in the state affairs as long as we keep in line and abide by the Federal Constitution,” he said.