Penang’s PBM wants fresh, untainted talents: party chairman

GEORGE TOWN – The Penang chapter of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) wants fresh and untainted talents in its party; hence, it will not simply take in elected representatives.

Penang PBM chairman Alan Oh Teik Choon claimed that since its onset earlier this month, there have been several elected representatives from Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, who have indicated an interest to possibly join them.

“We need to be discerning, as PBM is supposed to be mostly grassroots driven. We are a bottom-up structure rather than the traditional set-up of being leaders-centric.”

Hence, Oh said that PBM is reluctant to have the current or former assemblymen or MPs in its fold because they may carry “baggage”.

Oh said that over 90% of its members in Penang were formerly from PKR.

Four notable personalities have emerged in PBM Penang, namely Oh, who was formerly the PKR Bagan division head, ex-Bukit Tengah assemblymen Ong Chin Wen and David Ong, the former lieutenant of Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee.

Unlike Sabah-based Parti Warisan, who has declared that it intends to contest all 40 state and 15 parliamentary seats in Penang, Oh said that for now, PBM is vying not more than 12 seats.

He said that due to the fluid political conditions in the country, PBM is in the position to unveil many “surprises” in the days leading up to the next general election, which he expects to be held before the year is through.

Oh also said that PBM hopes that it can find some “partners”, to help them contest in Penang.

He also expects multi-cornered fights to be the norm in the country.

Meanwhile, DAP’s Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said that there is no sure win for political parties intending to contest in the next election due to a record number of parties likely to contest here.

Each political party has their respective strengths and weaknesses; there is no such thing as a definite victory for anyone, Ramasamy told The Vibes.

Therefore, political parties need to be humble and focused simply because the margin for error and overestimation is small, he added.

Since 2008, it is difficult to determine the political outcome, as elections in the past two decades have been unpredictable because only the voters know best what they want.

“DAP is like any other party. We have strengths and weaknesses. We just hope that the voters can see more of our strengths in our struggle rather than vice-versa.”

Political scientist Assoc Prof Sivamurugan Pandian said that Barisan Nasional (BN) would have an advantage if both Warisan and PBM contest in Penang.

“I think Warisan will get the support from DAP supporters and that might give BN a gain if they strategize well from now. The split will benefit BN.” – The Vibes, January 28, 2022