GE15: Perikatan to make Penang debut with six new faces

GEORGE TOWN – Perikatan Nasional (PN) will make its debut in Penang with the intention of breaking apart the stronghold its rivals Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional have here, by fielding a combination of veteran and young candidates.

PN will field six new faces, including Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who will try to defend the party’s sole federal seat here at Tasek Gelugor.

Following his nomination, Wan Saiful has since declared that he will bring up issues of environmental degradation in Penang and the plight of poor villagers.

His entry came after incumbent Datuk Shahbudin Yahya decided to opt out from contesting.

Academician Siti Mastura Mohamed from PAS is contesting in Kepala Batas against incumbent Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who is the caretaker housing and local government minister.

The surprise candidate, however, is lawyer Muhammad Harris Idaham Abdul Rashid from Bersatu, who is only 30 years old.

A former officer with Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, he will be contesting in the sole Malay-majority constituency on the island – Balik Pulau.

Gerakan is set to field five candidates, while PAS will field three and Bersatu five.

There are 13 federal seats in Penang, 10 of which is held by PH – who controls the state government – two by BN and one by PN.

Despite suffering from health issues, former deputy chief minister Datuk Mansor Othman has agreed to continue his political fight by defending the Nibong Tebal seat.

Gerakan’s second echelon leaders will again be fielded after the party lost Penang in 2008. They are Datuk Baljit Singh (Jelutong), Hng Chee Wey (Bukit Bendera), H’ng Khoon Leng (Tanjong) Oh Tong Keong (Bayan Baru), and Gerakan Youth head Wong Chia Zhen (Batu Kawan), who will be facing Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Steven Koh Tien Yew (Bukit Mertajam) is making history as he is the first person from Penang to contest on PAS’ ticket.

Alan Oh, formerly of Penang PKR and PBM, is making his electoral debut in Bagan where he will likely face DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng in the Butterworth enclave.

In Jelutong, Bersatu Supporters Club member P. Thinagaranabhan will make his debut together with PAS cleric Muhammad Fawwaz Mat Jan in Permatang Pauh. – The Vibes, November 3, 2022