BAYAN LEPAS - Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau denies that the Pas' machinery was not present to support his candidacy as he submitted his nomination paper to contest on the state election, today.
In fact, Lau said he was welcomed by a few Pas supporters earlier this morning to show their support for his nomination process.
"I saw a few Pas supporters this morning, just now they came to me and wished me good luck," he said to reporters when met at Dewan Bukit Belah today.
However, Lau admitted that there were internal conflict among the coalition and assured that all sorts of issues will be resolved internally.
"There are internal issues due to the communications we are facing which are not really good.
"All issues will be settled internally," he stressed.
Previously, Lau's candidacy for the Bayan Lepas state assembly seat was opposed by Bayan Lepas Branch Pas members, who staged a peaceful protest and threatened to boycott the nomination and state election this time.
Lau's candidacy for the seat also raised questions when his name was not announced during the official announcement of the Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates last Thursday.
It is understood that the PN candidate in the Bayan Lepas seat was initially given to Pas, who named the state Pas secretary Iszuree Ibrahim as their candidate.
Commenting further, Lau said PN will work hard to get the mandate and support from the voters in the six state elections.
"I am grateful to PN, a component party that is with us today to show their support and encouragement.
"It doesn't matter whether it is PN or the opposition party, we will need to compete professionally and in a peaceful manner.
"This is not a war, this is a constitution which is set every five years where we elect our representatives.
"Therefore, I take this opportunity to call all Penangnites to vote because this state election is crucial for us to fullfill our responsibilities as a citizen," he said.