As announced earlier, Gerakan Youth chief Lim Si Pin said he was sticking to his guns in not seeking to contest any position in the party election scheduled next year.

The son of former Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik said he meant what he had announced earlier.

I will be out of the leadership position when my current term ends. Many people have been reading too much into my statement. I really mean it. When I said I will not contest, I meant it," he told Bernama in a interview today.

NONE Lim was commenting on talk among the party's circles that he will change his stand as his earlier announcement was merely a political move spearheaded by his father.

However, he explained that he had decided not to seek any party position as he wanted to avoid the perception among the people that he and his father were trying to create a "Lim Dynasty" in the party.

"It's no big loss for me. In fact, if I stayed, many people will feel pressured. I don't treat party positions as an oppurtunity to move up higher. Some people view holding positions as very important as they see it as the next step towards becoming minister or deputy minister," he said.

Lim said his earlier decision not to seek any party position was made partly due to the fact that he wanted "more younger people being trained and move up the party ranks" as many current leaders were past 40 years of age.

"If we don't give way, how can people in their 20s and 30s move up? Let them have the opportunity to go up. Don't hold positions for too long," he said.

On the timing of his announcement, which was made just a few days after his father dropped a bombshell on the party leadership and quit as party advisor, Lim said he wanted to capitalise on the media coverage.

"In a way, to capture the people's imagination, as well. I want to make it known during the time as I want my news to be highlighted. If I make such announcement later, it will not get good publicity. I want to capitalise on media coverage."

On whether his comment today would soften scepticism among some party members and political observers on his next move, Lim said he could not stop people from speculating.

- Bernama