Au not defending Elopura seat in GE14
SANDAKAN: Elopura assemblyman, Datuk Au Kam Wah, has announced that he will not be contesting in the coming 14th general election (GE14) but will continue to support Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan).
Speaking at the press conference held at Sabah Hotel yesterday, Au, who is also a member of the Gerakan central committee, said that he made the decision after looking into several matters.
“Since Elopura constituency is a large area, it definitely needs young, energetic and dynamic leader. It is time to give way and opportunity to eligible and competent young leaders to lead Elopura.
“Elopura has developed tremendously under the Barisan National (BN) through its component party Gerakan and this will definitely progress further under a new leader.
“Even though I do not have the right to appoint a candidate, I would like to suggest that Chan Tzun Hei be considered as a candidate to contest the Elopura seat representing Gerakan, a component party of the BN.
“Chan is the deputy youth chief of Gerakan Sabah and a member of the National Youth central committee. He has been the community development leader for Elopura constituency since 2007.
Meanwhile, Au expressed his gratitude towards Chief Minister, Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman, who has entrusted him not only as Elopura assemblyman but also to lead Sabah Energy Corporation since 2004.
Au said, BN is still the best choice for the people to choose to govern the country as it has brought development to all and is the ideal party to unite the multi-racial parties and the people.
In other development, Au said, he has informed the Gerakan party leadership of his decision and stressed that his decision not to contest did not mean that he will be joining the opposition.
“Firstly, I deny any rumour that says that I’ll be joining the opposition. I will continue to support Gerakan and the BN and will work to ensure its victory in the next general election,” he said.
Au, 55, was a former journalist from 1982 to 1989. Before joining Gerakan, Au was a member of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP). After SAPP decided to pull out from Barisan Nasional Sabah, Au joined Gerakan. He was elected Elopura assemblyman since 2004 after winning the seat in three consecutive general elections.