IT WILL probably be a far-fetched dream for Penang Perikatan Nssional (PN) chapter to wrest control of the DAP-rule state for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given his word to fight the Penang state election battle as part of the unity government set-up.
This was revealed by the party’s national chairman and former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng who expressed surprise “to receive an unexpected phone call a few days ago from #PMX to wish a happy Aidilfitri celebration to (his) old allies”.
“Even as PM, he still wants his friends in the DAP to know that he really appreciates his loyalty in the Reformasi struggle that has spanned more than 2 decades,” penned the Bagan MP and former finance minister on his Facebook page.
“He (Anwar) also emphasised that the friendship between himself, Kit Siang and I transcends that of normal friends and comrades-in-arms.”
Added Guan Eng “We also discussed returning vehicle-capable ferries in accordance with the current conditions that have been changed previously for which he also voiced support. We will face the Penang state election together with the unity government.”
Recall that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition currently controls 33 of the 40 Penang state assembly sears after the 2018 state elections, of which DAP commands 19 seats, PKR (12 seats) and Amanah (two seats).
Elsewhere, Barisan Nasional (BN) holds two seats and PAS one seat while four more seats are vacant after four assemblymen, namely Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya), Zulkfili Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh), Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifly Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang) were ordered to leave the Penang state assembly sitting on March 6.
This is given Article 14A of the Penang State Constitution clearly states that a state assemblyman must vacate his seat if he resigns, is stripped of his membership, ceases to be a politician or is chosen as a candidate by another political party.
Apparently, such was the case for the Bertam and Teluk Bahang assemblymen – Bersatu members who contested under a PKR ticket during the 14th General Election (GE14) – and also for the Sungai Acheh and Seberang Jaya assemblymen who were sacked from PKR.
Despite this, it is noteworthy to know that the strength of PN cannot be under-estimated especially in the Penang hinterland which boasts Malay-majority populace given the so-called green tsumami phenomenon had led to the fall of three parliamentary constituencies during the 15th General Election (GE15).
The casualties included Anwar’s very own family fortress of Permatang Pauh where his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar lost to unheralded first-term PAS MP Fawwaz Md Jan in addition to Kepala Batas (PAS) and Tasek Gelugor (Bersatu). – April 30, 2023
