Penang PBM chairman abruptly steps down from post 

GEORGE TOWN – Penang Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM)’s chairman has apparently resigned impromptu, just as the party is weeks away from contesting in the 15th general election for the first time since it was formed last year.

Alan Oh had reportedly tendered his resignation and made public his intentions during the state PBM leadership meeting last night.

Oh, a former Bagan PKR division chief and was closely associated with PBM president Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, could not be reached for comment.

It is learnt that his resignation note, which has since gone viral, apparently mentioned all PBM division leaders for their commitment towards the new party.

The note also detailed his apology for exiting at his juncture with no reason cited.

PBM was initially slated to contest in all 40 state and 13 parliamentary seats in Penang, but with Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s decision to hold a separate election for the state, it is seen as a setback for the party, which is largely helmed by ex-PKR leaders.

The party has since applied to join Barisan Nasional (BN) to fill in the vacuum left behind by Gerakan, but its status remains unclear at this juncture. 

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN), which is led by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, launched their election machinery in Penang with a special rally at the district commercial centre in Tasek Gelugor here last night.

Speaking before a crowd, Muhyiddin said the alternative coalition has the experience in dealing with the issues confronting the country.

It was pointed out that despite Covid-19 lockdowns, economic slowdown and a political crisis, the PN-led federal government from 2020 to 2021, managed to handle it all well.

“What is glaring was that the ringgit did not slide significantly under Muhyiddin's watch despite various issues now, when the currency is at a historical low against the US greenback,” one of the speakers claimed.

In another development, independent candidate Myocho Kan, who helms a nongovernmental organisation called MyKita, has also become the first person to declare his candidacy in Penang.

Kan, a St Xavier's Institution alumnus, declared online that he would be seeking his political fortunes in the Bayan Baru parliamentary seat, whose incumbent now is former deputy agriculture and agro-based industries minister Sim Tze Tzin. – The Vibes, October 17, 2022