(Kuching, 13th) Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi stated that he will not defend the Kapit parliamentary seat in the next general election, ending his nearly 30-year career as a Member of Parliament.
Nanta, who has served five terms as Kapit MP, indicated that he has made the final decision to leave Parliament, but will not exit politics, choosing instead to continue his political struggle through another platform.
He, who is also the Secretary-General of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said that if the proposed new state seat is officially gazetted before the next Sarawak state election, he intends to contest the newly established Sarawak state seat (DUNS) located within the Kapit parliamentary constituency.
In an interview with Utusan Malaysia on Wednesday (August 12), he said: “In fact, I have long made a firm decision to give up this parliamentary seat. I'm not leaving politics, but will possibly continue my political struggle in another way, no longer serving as a Member of Parliament.
“I have been an MP for almost 30 years, having served as Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, and am now Minister of Works. I feel it is time to allow the younger generation the opportunity to enter Parliament.”
Nanta revealed that he is interested in contesting the proposed new “Melekun” state seat, which will be established within the Kapit parliamentary constituency.
However, he pointed out that the state seat still needs to be confirmed by the Election Commission. The Commission is expected to first conduct a public display process before making an official announcement.
He said: “If a new state seat is added to the Kapit parliamentary area, I have already expressed my desire to contest.”
Whether Nanta will contest in the Sarawak state election has not yet been discussed at the GPS leadership meeting.
GPS Chairman and Sarawak Premier Dato Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari had previously stated that the party’s highest leadership has not yet discussed Nanta's candidacy in the state election.
Nanta also said that even if he no longer serves as a Member of Parliament in the future, he believes he should now be more focused on state-level development work, especially the development of the Kapit area.
He, who is also the Secretary-General of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said that if the proposed new state seat is officially gazetted before the next Sarawak state election, he intends to contest the newly established Sarawak state seat (DUNS) located within the Kapit parliamentary constituency.
In an interview with Utusan Malaysia on Wednesday (August 12), he said: “In fact, I have long made a firm decision to give up this parliamentary seat. I'm not leaving politics, but will possibly continue my political struggle in another way, no longer serving as a Member of Parliament.
“I have been an MP for almost 30 years, having served as Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, and am now Minister of Works. I feel it is time to allow the younger generation the opportunity to enter Parliament.”
Nanta revealed that he is interested in contesting the proposed new “Melekun” state seat, which will be established within the Kapit parliamentary constituency.
However, he pointed out that the state seat still needs to be confirmed by the Election Commission. The Commission is expected to first conduct a public display process before making an official announcement.
He said: “If a new state seat is added to the Kapit parliamentary area, I have already expressed my desire to contest.”
Whether Nanta will contest in the Sarawak state election has not yet been discussed at the GPS leadership meeting.
GPS Chairman and Sarawak Premier Dato Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari had previously stated that the party’s highest leadership has not yet discussed Nanta's candidacy in the state election.
Nanta also said that even if he no longer serves as a Member of Parliament in the future, he believes he should now be more focused on state-level development work, especially the development of the Kapit area.