STATE POLLS | Gerakan president Dominic Lau has accepted the apology from PAS and urged Perikatan Nasional (PN) allies to set aside their personal grievances and work together in the final half of the campaign.
Speaking to reporters in Kampung Binjai, Penang today, Lau said the apology by PAS' national leadership bolstered PN participation in his campaign.
“We can resolve matters internally. Of course, we are very grateful to PAS for (publicly) apologising and we accept it.
“(Moving forward), we must put aside any grudges and focus on the campaign. There are only seven days left.
“Let’s work hard in conveying our message to the public and instil confidence in PN so that we can win on Aug 12,” he said.
On Aug 1, Lau was not welcomed at a PAS ceramah in Tasek Gelugor, Penang. At one point, he was told by Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim to “go away”.
Subsequently, Lau denied that he was being snubbed although some of his party leaders had felt otherwise.
Late last night, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan apologised to Lau on behalf of the party leadership and urged party members to accept Lau’s candidacy for Bayan Lepas.
Takiyuddin also urged party members not to challenge the wisdom of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Lau was met by reporters this morning while campaigning in Kampung Binjai, a Malay neighbourhood.
He claimed that activists from Bersatu, PAS, and even Umno had been helping him with his campaign.
Lau and his supporters later raised their arms and posed for photographs, in a nod to Kedah PN chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who popularised the pose since he was charged with two counts of sedition on July 18.
When asked if Iszuree, who was widely speculated to be upset after being overlooked as the Bayan Lepas candidate, had apologised, Lau said it was not important.
Lau: Let it rest
"To me, there's a full stop to the issue. Our internal issues will be sorted internally. PAS has already apologised. It is very sincere. Let it rest," he said.
Lau claimed that there are PAS members who have come up to him recently to express their support and also apologise for the incident.
"I don't know who they are. They said they were PAS members and they were apologetic," he said.
On the campaign so far, Lau said he believed that the days of Harapan receiving "95 percent support" are over.
"Based on GE15, I think 95 percent of Chinese in Penang supported Harapan. Based on my visit to a hawker centre, I believe that will not happen again," he said.
He said his campaign rounds have been met by positive response with many Chinese voters pledging support for PN.
"A lot are telling me they cannot accept Umno. They don't want to support Umno," he said. - Mkini
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