Kayveas Says May Not Contest In Next General Election

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 11 – People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas said today it is highly likely that he will not contest in the next general election, expected to be held this year.

He said his name is not on the list of potential candidates the party had submitted to Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Kayveas said, however, that he would leave it to Najib to decide whether he should be a PPP candidate in the 13th general election.

“The PPP has sent the list of potential candidates for the 13th General Election but my name was not included although party members want me to contest again. Let Najib decide as to whether I should contest or not,” he said.

“I have taken this stand as I want to give leaders who have served longer a chance. They have contributed a great deal to the party and society. So, these leaders should be given a chance. They need to win and strengthen BN,” he added.

The PPP has expressed its intention to Najib that it wants to contest four parliamentary and 12 state seats in the next general election.

In the last general election, in 2008, the PPP was allocated two seats in Perak, the Taiping parliamentary and the Pasir Bedamar state seats.

Kayveas lost to Nga Kor Ming of the DAP in Taiping and Lee Heng lost to Seah Leong Peng, also of the DAP, in Pasir Bedamar.

Kayveas, who has helmed PPP since 1993, also said that he would relinquish the top position to senior vice-president and Deputy Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin Dennis D’Cruz after the next general election if he (Kayveas) does not contest in the election.

“If I do not contest in the 13th General Election, I will relinquish the president’s post after the election. Let a new leader head PPP. I can be party advisor,” he said.

disunting dari umno online @ disiarkan pada 12 Januari 2012