KOTA KINABALU: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia is ready to contest in the upcoming 14th general election (GE14) if he is fielded.
Pandikar said he had been wanting to actively return to the political arena since last year but would leave the matter to the top leadership.
"If I am fielded in either a parliamentary or state seat in this GE14, I will accept it because I am already physically and mentally prepared for it.
"I am not that old. I am only 63, compared to the current opposition leader, who is in his 90s. However, I will leave it to the top leadership (to decide) including the area to be contested," he told reporters after the launching of Iranun Nusantara gathering here today.
Pandikar, who is also the patron of Iranun Culture and Language Association, also stressed he was ready to face challenges and to contest in any parliamentary or state constituency if given the opportunity.
However, the United Sabah Bumis Organisation (Usbo) president said he was just expressing his intention to contest, noting there has been no indication from the top leaders for Pandikar to return to active politics.
"I haven’t become a candidate since the GE12 in 2008…and that’s fine with me," he added.
Pandikar began venturing into politics in 1982 and was the president of Angkatan Keadilan Rakyat, a local party that was dissolved.
He was also the Tempasuk assemblyman from 1994 to 1999 and was appointed as Senator from 1999 to 2002.
In 2004, he recontested for the Tempasuk state seat for the GE11. His name was however dropped in the GE12 and Datuk Musbah Jamli was fielded to replace Pandikar in Tempasuk seat until GE13.