By Neil Brian Joseph
I’m ready to contest in GE14 – Pandikar
KOTA KINABALU: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has once again reiterated his readiness to contest in the upcoming 14th General Elections (GE14).
This is despite the fact that Pandikar has yet to receive any indication from the party’s (Barisan Nasional) top leadership.
“Last year...I have expressed my wish to return to politics. However that would be up to the party’s top leadership, on whether or not they would allow me to return to politics actively,” he told reporters yesterday.
He stressed that the idea of him returning to politics had always been with him.
“In the event I was asked to contest either in the parliamentary or state seat, I would accept,” he said, stressing that he is physically and mentally ready to do so.
“I am not that old. I am only 63 compared to the current opposition leader Tun Dr Mahatir who is in his 90s. So considerably, I am still young, even compared to the Chief Minister of the day. I am still younger than him,” he said.
However, he did not reveal his preferred seat as that would be up to Barisan Nasional’s top leadership.
“It is up to the party’s leaders on where they want to put you. For example, in West Malaysia, Lim Kit Siang would move from one place to another. I would want to have that experience,” he said.
Talk is rife that Pandikar might be taking over Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak’s state seat in Usukan.
However, as mentioned, there has not been any confirmation on Pandikar’s role in GE14.
“Well to be honest with you, there is no such indication. I had only expressed my readiness. If chosen, I will be OK (with it).
“But then again, I was not chosen since 2008 (GE12). It was still okay to me,” he added.
Earlier last year, Pandikar expressed his intention to return to politics, citing his experience as a Speaker as one of the reasons he should do so. Salleh on the other hand is rumoured to be replacing Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan in the Kota Belud parliamentary seat.
Pandikar was met by reporters after officiating at the Pertemuan Iranun Nusantara (PIN) at Likas Square Hotel yesterday.
“Today’s event is about the meeting of Iranun Nusantara (community) from North Borneo, Indonesia and the Philippines. I was made to understand that this was their second meeting,” Pandikar said.
Iranun, is a minority community in Sabah. Interestingly, its culture, tradition and language are also found in Indonesia and the Philippines, he added.
The programme featured various talks on working papers pertaining to the history of the Iranun community.