VETERAN lawmaker Lim Kit Siang has challenged DAP and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to do better than the 15th general election (GE15) in the Penang state polls slated for next year.
Speaking at the DAP Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat thanksgiving dinner in Penang last night, the former Iskandar Puteri MP reminded all DAP and PH leaders, members and supporters that the new political struggle to make Malaysia great again has only just begun.
“I am happy to be here tonight for quadruple celebrations. First, to Ramkarpal Singh for his stunning 63,112 vote-majority and re-election as Bukit Gelugor MP,” Lim remarked.
“Secondly, again to Ramkarpal for his appointment as deputy minister for Law in the Prime Minister’s Department, and thirdly, to Lim Hui Ying for her appointment as deputy Education Minister.”
Lim noted that law and education reforms are crucial subjects “if we are to stop the national decline” in the last six decades and regain the country’s position as a “first-rate, world-class” nation.
“There is a fourth reason for celebration: I congratulate Penang DAP for the great victories in GE15 where four of the seven DAP-PH candidates won their seats,” he further pointed out.
Lim was referring to Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng and Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid.
“While celebration is in order tonight, I must remind all DAP and PH leaders as well as members and supporters that the new political struggle to make Malaysia great again has only started,” he said.
“The Penang state election will be held next year, and I challenge DAP and PH to do better [than the outcome of GE15].”
Last week, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state polls will likely be held in May or June next year.
He said this is based on informal talks with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership, who are also keen on completing the full five-year term, which ends in May.
Speaking to reporters at an event in Perai, he said they are taking into consideration the Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Haji holidays as well as the SPM examinations and other factors before decididng.
Chow further noted that the next window would be May or June but nothing has been formally discussed just yet.
The Penang state assembly will end its term on Aug 2 next year, and an election must be held within two months after that, as per the state constitution.
Chow previously said Penang was open to holding its state election concurrently with the other states.
Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, which are controlled by PH, and Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, governed by PAS, had decided not to hold their state elections simultaneously with the general election on Nov 19. – Dec 12, 2022
Main pic credit: The Edge Markets
