AMANAH’S state chiefs should not stand in next year’s party polls to contest central committee positions, said Kedah delegate Ridzuan Abu Bakar.

“Currently, state chiefs are automatic members of the central committees and they also sit in the various bureaus in the party.

“By not standing, they will free up 14 seats in next year’s party elections for the 20 central committee places,” said Ridzuan during the debate on the president’s policy speech at Amanah’s second convention in Ipoh today.

He said that it was high time for the three-year-old PAS splinter party to open up more spots for grassroots leaders to move up the ranks.

Ridzuan said the party does not have to amend the party constitution to do this.

“Just, don’t stand for election,” Ridzuan told the state chiefs.

The fiery speaker from Kedah also reminded Amanah’s leaders not to forget the voters who voted them into power in the last elections.

“During the elections we asked Malaysians to vote for change and they have done that. So, we must now live up to those expectations. 

“Sadly, although we are now meeting for the second day, we have yet to see some of our leaders who have become ministers and deputy ministers have breakfast with us,” said Ridzuan.

Although, the smallest component party in Pakatan Harapan, Amanah has a large representation in the cabinet relative to its 11 parliament seats.

The party has five ministers and five deputy ministers, as well as three senators.

Amanah also has a chief minister (Malacca) and 13  state executive councillors in; Johor (3), Malacca (2), Negri Sembilan (1), Selangor (2), Perak (3), and Kedah (2) from the 34 state seats it won in the last elections. – December 15, 2018.