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Published: Wednesday May 8, 2013 MYT 1:27:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday May 8, 2013 MYT 1:34:03 PM

GE13: Defeated Bernard Dompok respects "people's decision"

By MUGUNTAN VANAR


Dompok and his wife casting their ballots during Sunday's general election Dompok and his wife casting their ballots during Sunday's general election

KOTA KINABALU: Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok describes his defeat in the Penampang parliamentary seat as a decision made by the people.

"The people of Penampang have spoken. I went into this election with a clear conscience.

"I have supported a movement to bring about transformation in this country, especially on issues relating to illegal immigration, education, religion and good governance.

"I committed myself to a struggle to achieve a just solution to these issues.

"Obviously, the people of Penampang have in no uncertain terms rejected my approach.

"They have exercised their democratic rights through the ballot box and I bow to their decisive action,'' he said in a statement issued here.

Dompok who lost to PKR Youth leader Darell Leiking by 10,216 votwa. He congratulated Leiking for a "splendid victory."

In the 1999 state elections, Dompok, who was then chief minister, lost his state seat of Moyog under the Penampang constituency but made his comeback by winning the Ranau parliament seat the same year and was made federal minister.

In 2008, he moved back to Penampang seat.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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