GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau (pic) has confirmed that he will be running in the coming Penang state election.
Lau said he intends to stand in one of the state seats in Seberang Perai.
"I will announce the state constituency after the dissolution of the legislative assembly,” he told reporters after opening the Penang Gerakan annual delegates conference on Sunday (June 18).
Lau said that Gerakan will be contesting in Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Kedah in the upcoming state polls.
"Gerakan will not be fielding candidates in Kelantan and Terengganu because in the 15th general election (GE15), Perikatan Nasional was using the Pas logo. Secondly after seat negotiations, Bersatu and Pas will play a very important role and they have many incumbents in both states," said Lau.
Lau added that the incumbents will be given the priority to contest.
"Most of the incumbents are from PAS and 95% of the population are Malays. As such both parties will play an active role in the two states (Kelantan and |Terengganu) compared to Gerakan. This is why Gerakan is not taking part there,” he said.
Lau also said the distribution of seats for state polls will be finalised between Perikatan component parties next Wednesday (June 22) at the coalition's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Penang has 40 state assembly seats and in the 14th general election, Pakatan Harapan won 37 seats including two from Bersatu candidates who were still with it at the time while Barisan Nasional won two seats and PAS one.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow reportedly said the state government plans to dissolve the Penang State Assembly on June 28 to make way for the state election. - Bernama
