IPOH: Bersatu acknowledges that there was disagreement over the selection of Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Dr Dominic Lau as the candidate for the Bayan Lepas seat in the Penang state election.
Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, however, is confident that Lau’s candidacy will not have a negative impact on Perikatan. He believes that the majority of the Malay electorate will vote for him.
“Many people felt that a Malay candidate would be better suited for this seat. However, this is the beauty of Perikatan, where we field a non-Malay candidate in a Malay-majority constituency.
“So, there is no reason to worry. Although there was initial dispute, once nominations were settled, the situation calmed down and we are confident in securing Malay support,” he said during a media conference at the Perak Bersatu office (July 30).
Media reports indicate that there were no PAS supporters present at the Bukit Belah Hall nomination centre in Teluk Kumbar when Lau, who is also the Gerakan president, submitted his nomination papers on July 29.
The reports suggest that this could be because Perikatan stayed firm in its decision to field Lau instead of Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim for the seat. Only about 100 individuals, including Gerakan and Bersatu members, were present at the nomination centre.
According to press reports, Malays make up approximately 64% of the electorate in the Bayan Lepas state constituency. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
