Nanta silent on political future, but says he will remain active

PETALING JAYA: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi remains tight-lipped on whether he will defend his Kapit parliamentary seat or transition to state politics, but has confirmed that he intends to remain politically active.

“I will continue my political service. Wherever it may be, I will still be active and contribute my energy,” Borneo Post reported the MP and federal works minister as saying in Kuching today.

Nanta laughed off attempts at further clarification, saying talk of his political future had already received extensive media coverage.

“Don’t speculate,” he said.

The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu secretary-general had previously expressed his intention to contest a state seat in Kapit in the coming Sarawak election, subject to party approval.

On May 9, the six-term Kapit MP said he felt the time had come to pass the federal baton to a younger leader.

The following day, GPS chairman and Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said Nanta’s intention to contest a state seat was his personal stand and would be considered when the time came.

He said no discussions had taken place yet, and that decisions on leadership participation and potential candidates would only be finalised through official party deliberations.