Penangites can’t wait to vote in political stability

Anticipation: Ng says he is looking forward to a firmly elected government, while (inset, top) Abdul Kader thinks the election is a chance for people to vote out weak leaders; Abdul Mutalib says he has been waiting for news of Parliament’s dissolution for months. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The sooner the general election (GE15), the better.

This was the response of many Penangites when the dissolution of Parliament was announced yesterday.

Antique shop owner Ng Lai Soon, 54, said after a time of political instability made worse by the pandemic, he looked forward to seeing a firmly elected government.

“GE15 will allow a significant revamp in the government that will be more stable than the current one.

“We need a strong government, and this is the chance for the people to choose again. We have to resolve it sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner,” he said.

Third-generation hawker Abdul Kader Rahim, 35, said GE15 was a chance for the people to vote out weak leaders and keep those who can rebuild the country’s economy.

“The prices of raw ingredients increase every two weeks. Our ringgit keeps dropping. We need an improved government, and only through GE15 can we eliminate weak leaders and welcome those who are strong,” he said.

Prison warden Abdul Mutalib Awang Kechik, 41, said he had been waiting for Parliament to be dissolved since three months ago.

He said he had been feeling the pinch of rising living costs and longed to see a new government installed to tackle it.

“Now that Covid-19 is under control, it’s time for a newly elected government to be formed to tackle the new challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, Penang MCA chairman, Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, urged Malaysians to vote to develop the country further.

“The Prime Minister has returned the mandate to the people. Malaysia has been through political instability. We strongly hope Malaysians will make wise and right choices in choosing the right people to bring our beloved country to the next level,” he said.

Tan added that Barisan Nasional had been the most stable coalition for the past 60 years.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Penang DAP chief, expressed regret over the decision to dissolve Parliament ahead of the monsoon season.

It was reported that Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Negri Sembilan said they would not be holding state polls concurrently with the general elections.

Penang has 13, Kedah 15, Selangor 22, and Negri Sembilan eight Parliament seats.

DAP Penang publicity secretary and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong criticised Parliament’s dissolution shortly after Budget 2023.

“Despite warnings of major flood disasters and while we are in the middle of recovering from the pandemic and facing a slow economy, the government dissolves Parliament after tabling the Budget before it can be debated on and passed,” he said.

The State DAP held a lengthy meeting yesterday evening following the Prime Minister’s announcement.