New PKR MP says Dompok can help

Penampang MP Darrel Leiking says he will always welcome BN-Upko president Bernard Dompok's advice and feedback.

KOTA KINABALU: Newly elected MP for Penampang Darrel Leiking has held out an olive branch to former MP Bernard Dompok, saying the latter’s contributions to the people must not be ignored.

“We cannot ignore the services of the man for the people of Sabah, particularly the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut community,” he said of Dompok whom he defeated in the May 5 polls.

Leiking said he would always welcome advice and feedback from the former federal minister who is United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president.

He will be seeking Dompok’s opinion especially on the development plans he had prepared for Penampang and the two state seats under its jurisdiction – Moyog and Kapayan. Both state seats were formerly Barisan Nasional strongholds but are now represented by Pakatan Rakyat.

Moyog was won by Terrence Siambun of PKR while DAP’s Dr Edwin Bosi wrested Kepayan from BN candidate Edward Khoo Keok Hai of MCA.

Leiking who is PKR national deputy secretary-general pointed out that he was no ‘giant killer’ in defeating Dompok but merely replacing him for a new service for the people of Penampang.

On his victory, he said he was humbled by the overwhelming support of the people that gave him a 10,216 votes majority.

Leiking, a lawyer, polled 22,598 votes to Dompok’s 12,382 while State Reform Party’s Melanie Annol lost her deposit after only garnering 1,119 votes.

“Although we (Pakatan Rakyat) may not have formed the federal government and we are unable to implement our manifesto, I am nevertheless humbled by the trust given.

“I pledge to do my best, and with your support, to demand that the Barisan Nasional government honour its promises in their election manifesto,” he said.

Leiking hoped that the BN government would not discriminate or sideline Penampang just because it is now under the opposition.

Dompok won Penampang in the 2008 general election after moving from Ranau where he was the MP since 2004.

He was also the Moyog assemblyman and was chief minister for a short period under the BN’s rotation system. He was defeated in the 1999 elections while he held the post.