Teo
KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secretary-general Datuk Teo Chee Kang said he had to choose between defending the stand of the supreme council and respecting the grassroots’ wishes on the upcoming party election, and he chose the latter.
Describing the move as the most difficult decision he has made since joining politics 20 years ago, Teo quoted a Chinese idiom, saying “Praise or contempt, I will face them with grace and tranquility.”
Teo, who is also Minister of Special Tasks, said making choices in politics was inevitable.
“Frankly, I must say that my decision to accept nominations for the presidency is the most difficult one since I joined politics 20 years ago,” he said.
After the party supreme council arrived at the understanding to support the current president and deputy president for another term, Teo said the reactions from the grassroots and the change in circumstances have altered it into a totally different scenario.
“As such, I had to choose between defending the said understanding of the supreme council and respecting and adhering to the wishes of the grassroots, I chose the latter,” Teo said in his press statement issued to the media after representing the Chief Minister in officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony of a multi-purpose building at Sekolah Menengah Kian Kok here yesterday.
Recently, LDP vice president Datuk Pang Yuk Ming had aslo announced his intention to vie for a higher post during the party election on October 20.
Over the past few days, numerous LDP divisions have expressed their support for Teo to contest for party presidency.
On August 20, Teo announced that he would accept the nominations and vie for the presidential post.
To date, 13 out of 31 LDP divisions are supporting Teo to contest for presidency, including Gum-Gum, Luyang, Inanam, Tanjung Aru, Petagas, Tambunan, Liawan, Melalap, Likas, Klias, Tanjung Kapor, Senallang, Lahad Datu, in addition to Central Youth and Wanita.