Penang Barisan chief explains why he is contesting in Tanjong Bunga

By K. SUTHAKAR , CHONG KAH YUAN, LO TERN CHERN, INTAN AMALINA MOHD ALI,N.TRISHA and R.SEKARAN
Photos by LIM BENG TATT,CHAN BOON KAI and ZHAFARAN NASIB. Video by ZAINUDIN AHAD

PENANG Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow said he decided to contest in Tanjong Bunga as there were environmental and civil movement issues there that he was concerned about.

“There is a lack of consultation and there is no longer any emphasis on civil movements by the current state government,” he said at a press conference after the announcement of Barisan candidates.

Tan Teik Cheng

Teng, who is also Penang Gerakan chairman, said the constituency has 60.4% Chinese voters, 26.5% Malay voters and 11.5% Indian voters.

“This is a seat that reflects what Gerakan represents. I can contest in other seats but opted to contest here,” he said.

He thanked the party’s coordinator for Tanjong Bunga Hng Chee Wey for making way for him to contest there. Hng will contest in Batu Uban now.

“He has done a lot of good work on the ground,” he said.

Teng Chang Yeow

On his opponent Zairil Khir Johari, Teng said he “writes quite well”.

“I hope he can also serve well.”

Penang Umno chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said the party has a mix of new and old faces.

He said eight of them were new faces, two were standing again and 10 were old faces.

“Seven of our 20 candidates are below 40,” he said.

Penang MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said the party was aiming to make a difference by fielding many new faces.

He said the lineup was to bring new hope to voters through a young team to deliver a new strategy to woo voters.

Zainal Abidin Osman

“We were defeated in the last two general election but we have been working hard to avoid being left behind,” he said.

Commenting on Tan contesting in Machang Bubuk, Teng said it was only for this elections underthe seat swapping agreement between Gerakan and MCAinvolving Machang Bubuk and Jawi seats.

“But if he wins, he will contest the seat again. It will be like his personal to beholder seat,” he said.

Tan said a collective decision was made in mid-March between Gerakan and MCA to swap seatsas it presents the highest winningpossibility after various considerations.

“Machang Bubuk is a new township in Bukit Mertajam which is facing rapid development in recent years.

“However, due to a lack of proper planning, the locals there are facing many issues including traffic management and planning.

“There are always serious traffic jams near Alma. Other issues are safety and security as well as floods.

“I hope local residents can support us so that we can resolve traffic management, flooding and security issues,” said Tan, who is former Padang Lalang assemblyman.