KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan will no longer depend on its division chiefs when it comes to picking the right candidates for elections.
Its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said a change in strategy was necessary in view of the recent election outcome and the 'political frog' issue in Sabah.
"Our usual practice of following the division chiefs' recommendation for election candidates (might not be the best for the party).
"(During election), each division chief will propose three candidates… some of them are suitable, some are not.
"I am not saying that we should not listen to them, but we also need to listen to others' opinions including the people if we want to win elections.
"(In future), we will filter candidates properly instead of just listening to suggestions by certain people," he said, after a gathering with the Putatan Warisan supporters here.
The party, which won the state election in 2020 with 23 assemblymen, is now left with only 14 lawmakers.
On possible collaboration with other parties, the former state chief minister said the party was looking at several possibilities including working with Umno in future state elections.
"However, our priority now is to strengthen the party." he said.
As for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition which has been described as "a fully-local Sabah party", Shafie said it was better to look at the content of the struggle and not the label.