Polls: 60% new faces in Penang PKR line-up shows appetite for reform 

GEORGE TOWN – With up to 60% new faces out of 13 in its candidate line-up, PKR, the second biggest party after DAP in Penang, is showing that it is choosing reform for the coming state election. 

Among familiar and notable faces dropped were deputy chief minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman (Pinang Tunggal), state executive councillors Dr Norlela Ariffin (Penanti) and Datuk Abdul Halim Hussein (Batu Maung) as well as  PKR Legal Bureau head Jason Ong Khan Lee (Kebun Bunga). 

Former Penang Football Association president Datuk Amar Pritpal Abdullah was also dropped to make way for PKR Wanita leader Nurhidayah Che Ros in Sg Bakap. 

Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was a notable absentee from the candidates’ list in Penang. 

In Pakatan Harapan (PH), PKR has the second most state seats in Penang, with 13, after DAP which has 19. Amanh has two. 

PH’s first-time ally Barisan Nasional will now contest six seats through Umno.

Those dropped – Norlela, Abdul Halim and Ong – were magnanimous when interviewed, saying that they accept the party’s decision and have ordered their machinery to support their replacements. 

Norlela, whose family lives in Selangor, penned a heartfelt message on WhatsApp, saying that she was grateful to serve two terms and having gained the support of all during the trying times of the pandemic when she was left in charge of public health. 

Norlela was an interesting candidature during her tenure in Penang when she took on polemic issues such as alleged double standards among the authorities in enforcing laws on the environment among backyard factories to the illegal pig farming. 

A family friend of former PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Norlela is also known for starting the annual padi festival and community healthcare outreach. 

Halim also accepted the party’s decision to drop him, saying it was time for others to be given a chance after serving as the state legislative speaker, assemblyman and state executive council member. 

One of his legacies is a halal exhibition, which is one of the most active trade events for the state. 

Ong, meanwhile, said that he had instructed his team to support his replacement Lee Boon Heung, who is a former officer to PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. 

“I wish my replacement all the best. The battle for meaningful reforms shall continue despite the stiff challenges we had to endure.”

PKR is hard-pressed, according to political analysts, to repeat its performance in the last state election where it won 13 out of the 14 seats it contested. Its challenge comes from the dominant Malay voter base in its mixed-demographic seats. 

The Malay ground is said to be unsettled due to the surge in support for main rival Perikatan Nasional (PN), as seen from the general election last November, where PN secured three parliament seats in Penang – Kepala Batas, Permatang Pauh and Tasek Gelugor. 

One notable point raised by analysts is that there is no visible Malay candidate yet to fill the deputy chief minister I post, now that Zakiyuddin is not fielded. 

This creates the perception that the post may be reserved for Umno to fill, observers here said. 

One highlight, however, is the return of a PKR “otai” (Malay slang for veteran), Johari Kassim, who is contesting the Seberang Jaya seat.  

Johari returned to PKR after staying on the sidelines for a decade to help Saifuddin to woo the Malay ground in the last election, and it appears he is now rewarded for his tenacity. 

Former PKR Youth head Fahmi Zainol was also rewarded for his willingness to take the party’s offensive to the world of social media. He has been producing several clips, and he was given the Pantai Jerejak seat, which Saifuddin vacated. 

PKR also retained its Chinese candidates on the mainland – Gooi Hsiao Leung (Bukit Tengah), who is the son of former DAP strongman Gooi Hock Seng, Lee Khai Koon (Machang Bubok), who will be seeking a third term, and Goh Choon Aik (Bukit Tambun). 

The full line-up is: 

N3: Pinang Tunggal – Zainuddin Mohd 

N6: Telok Ayer Tawar – Mohsin Md Sharif 

N10: Seberang Jaya – Johari Kassim 

N12: Penanti – Rohsidi Hussin 

N14: Machang Bubok – Lee Khai Loon 

N17: Bukit Tengah – Gooi Hsiao Leung 

N18: Bukit Tambun – Goh Choon Aik 

N20: Sungai Bakap – Nurhidayah Che Ros 

N22: Kebun Bunga – Lee Boon Heung 

N35: Batu Uban – Kumaresan Arumugam 

N36: Pantai Jerejak – Fahmi Zainol 

N37: Batu Maung – Dr Mohd Abdul Hamid 

N39: Pulau Betong – Tuah Ismail – The Vibes, July 23, 2023