Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Dominic Lau has brushed off claims of him using a “cable” to secure the Bayan Lepas state seat in the upcoming state election.
“The selection of candidates is transparent and goes through several stages. The state can give its decision. But the final decision rests with the PN presidential council. That is the process.
“This is how the process is, even during the Melaka and Johor state elections, as well as the 15th general election (GE15) last November,” he told newsmen at the state Gerakan headquarters in Penang today.
Pas insiders alleged that Lau had pulled strings or called favours from the national PN to secure the Bayan Lepas seat.
Last night, PN announced the candidates to be fielded in 39 of the 40 state seats in Penang in the upcoming state election.
Lau’s name was left out and the candidate for the Bayan Lepas seat was not announced.
Earlier this afternoon, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin announced Lau for the Bayan Lepas seat.
The Bayan Lepas state seat was an issue of contention after the Bayan Lepas Pas branches said it would reject a non-Malay candidate there.
When asked about the Bayan Lepas Pas’ rejection, Lau said it was merely an issue of lack of communication among Penang PN.
“Any arising issues, we will resolve them internally.
“I will also quickly explain to Penang PN on the matter,” he added, noting that he was optimistic of Pas’ support for him.
Lau also said that he was confident that PN would do well in the upcoming state election.
Asked if issues in DAP would benefit PN, he said he was not bothered with what was happening in the party or Pakatan Harapan.
“Our only concern is to get the people’s mandate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lau, who is the national Gerakan president, said the party would be contesting 36 seats in Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan.
He said 78 percent of their candidates comprised new faces. – NST