WHILE MCA and Gerakan are hitting the ground running to become the new force in Penang, the incumbent in the state, DAP, is not ready to give up its hold.

Leaders from MCA and Gerakan told The Malaysian Insight that they can finally oust DAP from the state in the next general election after losing power in 2008.

Back then MCA and Gerakan were both in Barisan Nasional (BN). But today, they are in opposing political pacts – MCA still with BN while Gerakan has joined Perikatan Nasional (PN).

A political observer, however, said it will not be easy for MCA and Gerakan to kick DAP out as local voters are still backing the socialist party.

International Islamic University political science assistant professor Dr Lau Zhe Wei said Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) supposed failure as a federal government is not a reflection of DAP’s performance in Penang.

“Penang folk are not bothered that much. In theory, they will continue to support the state government headed by DAP,” he said.

He said that BN’s recent impressive victories in the Malacca and Johor elections will not likely impact Penang voters.

Lau said DAP managed to keep its support in Malacca and Johor where it had campaigned in urban areas with a majority of Chinese voters.  

“In Penang, with more than 50% Chinese voters in 25 of the 40 state seats, it is unlikely that Penang Chinese voters will withdraw their support for PH (DAP).

“This is unless they feel that DAP is doing poorly, although the state government has recently been criticised for its mishandling of many issues.

“However, the performance of Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has not been affected.”

He said a change of government in Penang in GE15 is unlikely to happen.

“It is possible that BN and PN can sway Malay voters in Penang but it will be impossible to shake DAP.”

However, both MCA and Gerakan are confident that they can deliver the state in GE15 to their respective pacts.

MCA has appointed 30 coordinators in Penang – eight in parliamentary constituencies and 22 in state seats – to work the ground and build a service network for GE15.

Penang MCA liaison committee chairman Tan Teik Cheng said 80% of the coordinators are “new faces”.

Gerakan, meanwhile, has also announced its first batch of “spokesmen” to work in more than 13 state seats.

Deputy president and state chairman Oh Tong Keong said these spokesmen are potential candidates, and were selected based on their performance and voters’ acceptance.

Rivals eye same seats

MCA’s Tan said the 30 coordinators in various constituencies in Penang were appointed at the beginning of the year.

The final decision on candidates will be up to BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, he said.

“About 80% of the 30 coordinators are new faces, of whom 70% are under the age of 45. This show’s MCA willingness to let youth take charge,” he said.

Tan said BN parties will also divide the seats contested by Gerakan in the last general election as the party is no longer in BN.

Sources told The Malaysian Insight that MCA is likely to contest in 20 state seats.

In 2018, MCA contested for four parliamentary and 10 state seats in Penang.

Meanwhile, Penang Gerakan’s Oh said that they are also training potential candidates.

“We haven’t talked about the allocation of seats yet. It is up to leadership to decide and we’ll announce the details when the time comes.”

He revealed that Gerakan will contest more seats in Penang this time than in GE14.

Sources said Gerakan was expected to contest about 17 state seats. It contested in 13 state seats and four federal seats in the last election.

They said MCA and Gerakan would be vying for the same set of seats made up of more than 60% of Chinese voters.

Penang has 13 parliamentary and 40 state constituencies.

The DAP-led PH has 33 seats in the state assembly while Umno/BN has two, and PN has five – Bersatu (4) and PAS (1). – July 30, 2022.