THE battle for Bagan, Penang and Malaysia began today with caretaker chief minister Lim Guan Eng saying the choice for voters in the Pakatan Harapan-ruled state is clear.

The DAP secretary-general, 57, who will defend the Bagan parliamentary seat on mainland Penang for his third term as MP, described the 14th general election as the “fight for the future of Bagan and Seberang Prai”.

Penang voters, the two-term chief minister said, have a choice between a bright future and a dark one, comparing what PH and BN have to offer.

“Our PH manifesto offers Penang the LRT (light rail transit) and undersea tunnel that links Bagan Ajam in Butterworth with Gurney Drive on the island. One day in the future, Penangites can take the LRT from the mainland to the island.

“Compared to PH, Barisan Nasional has no plans for Butterworth. Worse still, they have no LRT plan to offer the people. Do we want projects that secure Penang’s future or BN’s cancel manifesto?”

Lim, who was speaking to reporters at the Bagan PH election operation centre in Bagan Jermal today, was referring to Penang BN’s election pledge to cancel the undersea tunnel project and other major development. Although Penang will see multi-cornered fights in almost all 40 state and 13 parliamentary seats, the Penang PH chairman did not mention other parties.

“If Penangites want Butterworth and Seberang Prai to be part of the larger smart and intelligent city of Penang, and they want these infrastructures, we hope they will support PH,” he said.

Penang has been an opposition stronghold since the 2008 general election that saw a change of state government. DAP currently holds 19 state seats while ally PKR, 10. Former ally, PAS, has one seat while the remaining 10 are held by BN.

These elections, DAP will defend its 19 seats while PKR contests 14; Bersatu, four; and Amanah, three. All PH parties will contest under the PKR symbol. As for parliamentary seats, PH parties hold 10 out of 13. BN’s Umno holds three in Kepala Batas, Tasek Gelugor and Balik Pulau. – April 28, 2018.