Balung rep to step aside for new face

Balung state assemblyman Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali is prepared to make way for a new face to contest in the constituency in the next general election.

The Speaker of the Sabah state legislative assembly said the new generation should be given the chance to contest to allow for a continuation of leadership.

"I leave the matter to the party leadership. We have to abide by the decision. I will help anyone chosen by the party to contest," he said here last night.

Syed Abas was state assemblyman for Balung under the Berjaya government from 1978 to 1981. He was elected assemblyman again in 2004 under an UMNO ticket.

Meanwhile, he said the government had approved RM33 million to resolve the water supply problem in several areas in the constituency, including in Kampung Kongsi 8, Kongsi 10 and the Ranggu area.

"We will channel water from the Balung plant via Ranggu to the areas that often face a shortage of water," he said.

At present, the residents of Kampung Kongsi 8, Kongsi 10 and Ranggu receive their supply of water from the Utara plant in Tawau.