GEORGE TOWN – Warisan’s Penang chapter has included two former PKR leaders in its state line-up – as it gears up for the looming general election here.
Former Jelutong PKR division chief Shaharudin Mohd Sharif was appointed as Penang Warisan’s deputy chairman, while former Bukit Tengah assemblyman Ong Chin Wen was named state secretary.
Shaharudin, a former student at St Xavier’s Institution, here, used to be a key ally of former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in Penang.
Another surprise is the participation of technocrat Dennis Prem Kumar Chandran as one of the three vice-chairman of the state chapter.
Dennis was previously based in Japan and his foray into politics here is seen as an eye opener considering his previous role as a civil society activist.
Penang Warisan will be led by former DAP strongman Jeff Ooi, the erstwhile Jelutong MP and ex-chief of staff to former chief minister Lim Guan Eng.
The list of office bearers was shared with The Vibes ahead of the formal announcement on Sunday here.
While Ooi was shocked by the purported leak of information, he more or less confirmed the line-up, which he opined would be capable of making their presence felt in Penang.
The Sabah-based party’s entry into Penang confirms that the elections in the state would witness multi-cornered fights for most of the 40 state and 13 parliamentary seats.
Currently, Pakatan Harapan, led by its state chairman and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, holds 33 out of the 40 state seats and 10 out of the 13 federal constituencies.
Other notable names in Penang Warisan include former city councillor Max Goh Choon Keong as vice-chairman and Martin Lim Huat Poh, another Xavierian, as information director.
Former four-term Batu Lanchang assemblyman Danny Law Heng Kiang is believed to have been appointed as an advisor in the line-up.
Others include Zaini Awang (vice-chairman II), state Wira chief Dr Syed Afif Sanusi Syed Amran and state Wirawawti head Catherine Quah Ming Ming, as well as Soon Hock Seng as treasurer.
The interim committee members include Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Yahaya, Mohamad Akmal Azhar and Ronny Toh Teik Loon, as well as another former PKR leader Suresh Devaraj Naidu. – The Vibes, August 4, 2022
