Malaysia

Penang expected to be hotbed battleground for 5 parties, say analysts

Next election may witness crowded political landscape in Malaysia’s 2nd-smallest state

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 27 Dec 2021 9:00AM

Penang expected to be hotbed battleground for 5 parties, say analysts
Penang has arguably become one of the states to monitor in the next general election, seeing that the once-dominant DAP-led Pakatan Harapan administration has come under siege, with Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional eyeing the spoils of war. – The Vibes file pic, December 27, 2021

by Ian McIntyre

GEORGE TOWN – Penang may see up to five new political parties and three blocs contesting in the country’s second-smallest state in the next general election, where 40 state and 13 parliamentary seats are up for grabs.

It was made known that Sabah-based party Warisan, youth-based party Muda, and the newly launched Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) have indicated an interest in running in Penang.

Following the 2018 general election and the subsequently stunning “Sheraton Move” last year, the 40-seat state assembly currently has 33 Pakatan Harapan (PH) representatives and seven seats under the Perikatan Nasional (PN)/Barisan Nasional (BN) opposition.

From the 13 parliamentary seats, 10 belong to PH and three are with PN/BN.

Penang has arguably become one of the states to monitor, seeing that the once-dominant DAP-led Pakatan administration has come under siege, with PN and BN eyeing the spoils of war.

At the same time, they have new challengers from Warisan, PBM, and Muda eyeing seats that may have strong numbers of disgruntled voters.

There is renewed optimism for change in Penang, as DAP is besieged by its inability to untangle itself from the political uncertainties of PH – owing to PKR’s perceived drop in support – amidst an erosion of support in the Malay heartlands.

Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Prof Sivamurugan Pandian notes voters in Penang have often advocated a system of checks and balances since the 1960s. – File pic, December 27, 2021
Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Prof Sivamurugan Pandian notes voters in Penang have often advocated a system of checks and balances since the 1960s. – File pic, December 27, 2021

Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Prof Sivamurugan Pandian told The Vibes that it is possible for new parties to consider Penang as a testing ground, seeing that the state is often more receptive to newcomers trying their luck due to the political maturity in the state.

The voters here have often advocated a system of checks and balances since the 1960s. 

Penang was also home to parties such as Gerakan.

At the same time, constituents were also accepting of DAP candidates who were previously from other states, Sivamurugan noted.

It is looking to be a crowded field in Penang for the next election.

“And what happened in Sarawak and Melaka, where there were more than three-cornered fights, may ensue here. Whoever can hold their own would emerge victorious,” said Sivamurugan.

He sees Warisan contesting in Penang as a possibility – as there are over 100,000 Sabahans who have resettled in the state, owing to new job opportunities.

‘Leadership issues’

Sivamurugan predicted that Penang will be one of the hottest states to watch in the next election.

Former Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe, who was once state Gerakan election campaign director, said that the party may see its effort to recapture its home state of Penang made difficult if more rivals decide to turn the small state into a battleground.

“But it is something we cannot deny, as we also have our leadership issues. The party who has the best alliance and strategic campaign may win,” said Wong.

Friends may become foes and foes may end up as friends if there is no single convincingly strong bloc to overwhelm others in the next election, he said in an interview.

The party who has the best alliance and strategic campaign may win in Penang during the next general election, says former Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe. – Wong Mun Hoe Facebook pic, December 27, 2021
The party who has the best alliance and strategic campaign may win in Penang during the next general election, says former Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Wong Mun Hoe. – Wong Mun Hoe Facebook pic, December 27, 2021

Speculations have surfaced that Warisan may look to recruit former state Gerakan leaders to join in the fight against PH in Penang.

For now, former Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow reiterated that he has retired and has no intentions of joining any party.

The same applied to former state Gerakan Youth head Jason Loo, who said that he was previously speculated to join MCA and now Warisan.

No one has approached him over the matter, but Loo is keeping an open mind.

PBM is said to be enticing former PKR elected representatives, who were dropped as candidates by the latter during the last election.

Among those who may be eyeing a comeback are Ong Chin Wen and Cheah Kah Peng. – The Vibes, December 27, 2021

Related News

Malaysia / 14h

Speed limit at George Town World Heritage Site reduced to 40 km/h

Malaysia / 1d

Penang’s iconic Komtar set to undergo major make-over

Malaysia / 2d

Delivery rider collapses from exhaustion in Penang

Business / 3d

PDC embraces digitalisation through 15 high-impact projects worth RM5 bil

Culture & Lifestyle / 1w

Direct flights between Penang and Shanghai from May 31

Malaysia / 1w

PBAPP issues urgent call to save water

Spotlight

Events

UK alumni lauded for stellar achievements as British Council observes 75 years in Malaysia

Malaysia

Don’t let politicians, activists stir up hatred against KK Mart, PBK tells cops

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

7.7 mil people registered in Padu, 2.5 mil cyberattacks, but not one success: Rafizi

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Farewell Aunty Bersih, you will be missed

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Couple make two trips to workshop to find trapped kitten in car

Malaysia

KK Mart founder, director charged with wounding religious feelings of others over 'Allah' socks

By The Vibes Team

You may be interested

Malaysia

Sabah orders immediate water supply to over 50,000 households

By Jason Santos

Malaysia

Blanket of red as tens of thousands of jellyfish washed ashore at KK beach

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Water bombing carried out to douse massive Sarawak forest fires

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

King calls on all parties to stop fuelling anger over socks issue

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Muhyiddin files for leave to review Court of Appeal ruling reinstating power abuse charges

Malaysia

Padu: No need for excessive information unrelated to one’s financial status, says Abang Jo

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Forest fires at Sarawak-Brunei border the size of 220 football fields

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Speed limit at George Town World Heritage Site reduced to 40 km/h

By Shahrim Tamrin