GE14 | Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong has pledged not to enter the cabinet through the back door if he fails to defend his Teluk Intan parliamentary seat in the coming general election.

 

“I know the opposition has been saying 'Mah Siew Keong will go through the back door to become a senator and a minister if he loses' in order to get people to vote for them.

“However, I will not do what they say, (I will not) become a senator just to become a minister,” he was quoted as saying by Sin Chew Daily.

Mah is presently the plantation industries and commodities minister.

The Gerakan president said should he fail to win despite all his work in Teluk Intan, he would accept the voters' decision.

“After winning the 2014 by-election, I have devoted my time and energy to serving the people of Teluk Intan.

“I believe the people are able to see my sincerity and will support me. Their support gives me confidence,” he said.

Mah also addressed the claims that Gerakan would fade into oblivion should he be defeated.

Disagreeing with this, he pointed out that Gerakan is bigger than one individual and would continue to fight for the people.

A possible contender for Teluk Intan is DAP’s Nga Kor Ming, who is also the party's Perak chief.

In 2014, Mah won against DAP first-time candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud with a slim majority of 238 votes.

Last year, Mah was reported as stating that he would quit as Gerakan president if he failed to retain his seat.

“I will have to take responsibility. I will have to step down as Gerakan president. But I will continue to serve the party as a member,” he had told the Star.