Demak Laut rep makes way for new blood

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Datuk Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen

KUCHING: Demak Laut assemblyman Datuk Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen yesterday announced that he would not be contesting in the coming state election.

“Yes, I am not going to contest but I am not out and retire (from politics). My job to bring development into my area has not yet finished, so I am going to continue to bring more development to uplift the living standard of the people in those areas.”

He told reporters this after attending a GerakBumi education workshop for students from primary, secondary and vocational schools in the Demak Laut constituency.

Dr Rauf, who is also the Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, said Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had instructed him to recruit and groom a successor quite some time ago.

He added that PBB, in general, was in need of new blood and possibly more ‘young YBs’ to help bring the party and state forward.

“In fact, the old guards need to be replaced. We do not want to be like another party where the old guards refused to pave way for the new generation of leaders to come to the fore.”

Dr Rauf, however, was quick to point out that the services of the old guards were still needed to ensure a smooth transition of leadership in the party.

Asked who would replace him, Dr Rauf said he had been grooming a few individuals but it was up to the party leadership to pick the winnable one.

On whether he was retiring, Dr Rauf remarked: “No, I am not retiring. I will continue to develop the area. This (Demak Laut) is an industrial area and there are huge challenges to develop it. The new Tabuan Melayu township, for example, is in the pipeline and I will continue to help develop it.”