AFTER Pakatan Harapan’s landslide victory in its Penang stronghold, the state legislative assembly now lacks an effective opposition.

Instead of strengthening its line-up, Barisan Nasional lost eight state seats and is now left with only two, raising questions on how well the opposition will be able to function at the state assembly over the next few years.

BN will not have its more experienced and vocal reps, such as Muhammad Farid Saad, who had been the favourite to take over the opposition leader post, Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah and Shariful Azhar Othman, who all lost their seats in Pulau Betong, Teluk Bahang and Bertam.

The only BN incumbent who retained his seat is Sungai Dua’s Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor. The only other BN rep is newcomer Nor Hafizah Othman in Permatang Berangan. Penaga rep Yusni Mat Piah of PAS is the third non-PH rep.

The trio will have little to no chance of fighting proposals, policies or motions by the state at the legislative assembly, a position far worse than before when BN had 10 seats.

Civil society must play role

With the dearth of opposition backbenchers, Penang-based political analyst Khoo Kay Peng said civil society will have to play its role to keep the PH state government, which holds 37 of 40 state seats, honest.

He said there were some developments, plans and decisions by the state government, returning for its third term now, that did not necessarily have the people’s best interest at heart.

“The GE14 results in Penang was caused by a Malaysian tsunami and partly because people are angry at BN. Umno lost so many of its seats that PH had trouble winning in the past.

“Civil society cannot get caught up with the euphoria. Those in civil society must play their role. If they do not, it will be harder to ensure checks-and-balances in Penang.

“PH is now both the federal and state governments. As it was the people that won this election, PH must also remember to serve the people,” he said.

He said the media, which would hopefully be freer to do its job under the new federal administration, must also hold the government in check.

Bring back local elections

Khoo said now that PH had taken over Putrajaya and has federal powers, Penang should work on instituting policies that it could not previously as an opposition state government, the analyst said, citing local government elections and public transport as examples.

“Now that they are in power, they should look into reintroducing local government elections to promote democracy at the local level.”

Khoo said PH should also relook its multibillion ringgit Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) and mega infrastructure projects.

“PH now has federal jurisdiction on matters like public transport. It can look into other approaches to move people,” he said.

New captain?

The Penang government has been led by DAP’s Lim Guan Eng, a strong personality and a result-driven chief minister, for the last two terms.

Under his leadership, Penang PH had rolled out many socio-economic and reform policies.

Penang also presented the PTMP that proposes a light rail transit system, monorail and tram lines, bus services, roads and highways. Lim’s administration also proposed land reclamation projects and an undersea tunnel connecting Butterworth and George Town.

But with PH in Putrajaya, Lim may take up a federal minister’s post. Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow is now speculated to be the new chief minister.

Penang has yet to make any announcement on the chief minister’s position, nor has it set a date for the swearing-in of the newly elected assemblymen. – May 10, 2018.