THE ambience at the Penang Chinese Town Hall was vibrant and charged with enthusiasm.
DAP election candidates in Penang took to the stage and delivered impassioned speeches. They also presented their vision, promising positive changes and a brighter future for the electorate.
Batu Lancang candidate Ong Ah Teong kicked start the ceramah with a fiery speech.
Highlighting the state’s achievements, Ong said Pakatan Harapan delivered great results since 2008, after it was given the mandate by the people.
“We deliver results. You can see and feel these positive changes after Pakatan Harapan administered Penang,” he said last night.
Ong added that Penang is now cleaner, better managed and among the top investment hubs in the country.
New face Kumaran Krishnan, who is contesting in Bagan Dalam, said he hoped to focus on digital initiatives and affordable housing, among others, if given the chance to serve Bagan Dalam as its assemblyman.
Seri Delima candidate Connie Tan Hooi Peng said she has been active in politics for over 10 years, despite her young age.
”I am flattered and concerned at the same time when people tell me that I looked young.
“In the realm of politics, being labelled as ‘young’ often leads to assumptions that one lacks significant experience.
“Although I am only 33 years old, I have more than 10 years of experience in politics.
“I have also been serving in the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for eight terms. My dream is to help Penang be in good hands,” Tan said.
With his vast experience as a former property developer and businessman, new candidate Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, 61, hoped to use it to make Penang a better place.
“I may not have much political experience when compared with my fellow comrades. I joined DAP five years ago.
“But I have vast experience in the property development industry. Many would have known me for the successful projects in Penang such as the Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas, and Eco Horizon in Bandar Cassia.
“Yes, I came from a different background. And, I wish to share my knowledge and experience for the betterment of the state and the people.
“It is my turn to contribute back to society through politics, and I thank the party and senior leaders for this opportunity,” he said. Sundarajoo is contesting in Perai.
DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang said the state elections in all six states are important to the respective states and the country.
“The state elections will decide if we want to progress or regress.
“Together, let us make our states and country strong and magnificent in the eyes of the world,” Kit Siang said.
Datok Keramat candidate Jagdeep Singh Deo highlighted Penang’s achievements and commended the leadership of caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his team over the last five years.
Wong Yuee Harng, a new candidate contesting in Pengkalan Kota, may be small in stature, but he proudly compares himself to a ‘cili padi’ (chilli padi) when it comes to championing the people’s issues.
Pulau Tikus candidate Joshua Woo Sze Zeng spoke about Penang’s achievements and attributed them to the good administration of Pakatan Harapan.
DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng, who is contesting the Air Putih seat, appealed to the Penang voters to support Pakatan Harapan candidates in the state election so that a unity government could be formed in Penang.
“Together, let us send a strong message that Penangites want a strong government that can generate prosperity, manage the economy well, and progress the state’s digital economy.
“How can our competitor generate prosperity, manage the economy well, and progress the state’s digital economy when it can’t even provide clean water for the people whose state under its administration?
“They also questioned Penang’s sovereignty.
“The people of Penang must rise and tell them that ‘we are Penangites, and Penang remains Penang’,” Guan Eng said.
Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state government under Pakatan Harapan had fulfilled 94% of its 2018 state election manifesto promises.
“This proves that Pakatan Harapan and DAP can be trusted to fulfil promises when given the mandate to form a government.
“We will reveal the Penang Unity Manifesto 2023 on Aug 1 at the Butterworth Arena.
“The Penang Unity Manifesto 2023 will be in line with the Penang2030 vision. We have seven more years to meet our vision,” he said.
Chow also urge the people to support the ‘Unity’ candidates in Penang.