GEORGE TOWN: Nomination is still two days away, but it’s already shaping up to be a crowded field in Penang with multi-cornered fights in several constituencies.
Batu Kawan, one of the fastest growing townships in the state, is also the seat which looks to have attracted many hopefuls – at least five people have declared their candidacy there so far.
After incumbent Kasthuriraani Patto declined to re-contest, state Pakatan Harapan chairman Chow Kon Yeow (pic) has been sent across the channel to defend his party’s stranglehold on the seat, first won by Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy in 2008 who beat Gerakan’s Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
Chow, a four-term MP for Tanjong, faces at least four challengers – Ong Chin Wen (Parti Warisan), Tan Lee Huat (Barisan Nasional), Lee Ah Leong (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Wong Chia Zhen (Perikatan Nasional).
On paper, Chow – the Chief Minister since 2018 – should have no problem winning the seat, but it needs to be remembered that Dr Koh also lost here in 2008.
Batu Kawan has seen much development over the last few years and while that could be an advantage for Chow, there are also those who are unhappy with the uncontrolled growth.
As of Sept 15, Batu Kawan had 88,864 voters, with the Chinese making up 53.9% or 47,944 voters. There are also 20,393 Malay voters and 19,765 Indians, while the other 762 are of other races.
On the island, Bayan Baru – another major growth area – will also see at least five candidates.
Incumbent and former deputy agriculture and agro-based industry minister Sim Tze Tzin (Pakatan) is being challenged by first-timer Saw Yee Fung (Barisan).
Saw, 33, may be a novice but her humble and down-to-earth nature gives her a fighting chance.
“If I’m given a chance to serve, I will do my best to try and solve the issues faced by the constituents and bring them to the attention of federal leaders,” she said.
The other three candidates in the fray are Warisan’s (Jeff) Ooi Chuan Aun, a former DAP MP for Jelutong; Oh Tong Keong, the Gerakan deputy president; and Ravinder Singh from PRM.
Bayan Baru has the second highest number of voters in the state with the Chinese being the majority at 47.7% or 57,206. This is followed by Malay voters at 46,505, Indian voters at 14,557 and others at 1,442.
There will also be no shortage of excitement – and aspirants – in Tasek Gelugor.
Datuk Shabudin Yahaya, the incumbent who won on an Umno ticket before crossing to Bersatu, has declined nomination and Penang Opposition leader Datuk Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (Barisan) is now the frontrunner.
He will be up against Amanah deputy Youth chief Nik Abdul Razak Nik Md Ridzuan, Warisan’s Mohd Akmal Azhar and Perikatan’s Wan Saifulrudin Wan Jan.
Jelutong incumbent RSN Rayer (Pakatan), meanwhile, will be tackled by Gerakan vice-president Datuk Baljit Singh, Lim Huat Poh (Warisan), Koh Swee Yong (PRM) and Loganathan Thoraisamy (Barisan).
There are 13 parliamentary seats up for grabs in Penang – six on the island and seven on the mainland.
In GE14, Pakatan won 11 out of the 13 Parliament seats in Penang.
The coalition was left with 10 seats, after PKR's Datuk Mansor Othman (Nibong Tebal) defected to Bersatu. Also jumping ship to Bersatu then was Umno's Datuk Shabudin Yahya.
Before the dissolution of Parliament on Oct 10, Pakatan held 10 seats, with DAP having seven and PKR three. Perikatan and Barisan have two and one seats respectively.
