PENANG DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow has been introduced as the new candidate to contest the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).
Chow, who is also Penang Chief Minister, will battle for the seat which was previously held by Kasthuriraani Patto for two terms before announcing her decision to not defend the seat in the upcoming election.
Chow was the Tanjong MP for four terms. Senator Lim Hui Ying was named as the new candidate to be fielded there.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who announced the list of candidates earlier, also introduced Seri Delima assemblyman, Syerleena Abdul Rashid as the new candidate for the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat, which was previously helmed by Wong Hon Wai.
Chow, during the Harapan Convoy at Karpal Singh Drive earlier, said that the GE15 would be one of the most important elections in the history of Malaysia.
“In the last four years, our country has gone through various challenges, be it from economy, politics or even health.
“It is time for us to return and save our country, Malaysia. We want to firmly state that we want to win Putrajaya again and do the very best for the people of Malaysia.
“On behalf of the Penang DAP committee, I would like to thank the national leadership for their support as we have now officially started our election campaign in pursuit of the GE15,” Chow said in his speech.
About 170 cars participated in the convoy earlier.
Loke also announced that incumbent MPs Lim Guan Eng (Bagan), R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong), Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor) and Steven Sim (Bukit Mertajam) would be defending their seats in the election.
Meanwhile, during a brief interview session earlier, Syerleena said she is up for the challenge and extended her appreciation to the party for giving her the opportunity to contest the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat, which she also views as a very big responsibility.
“I understand there are about 92,000 registered voters in the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency. It comprises four state constituencies, namely Pulau Tikus, Tanjong Bungah, Air Putih and Kebun Bunga.
“Bukit Bendera is not new to me as I had previously held the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) secretary position for a few years.
“I am going to have discussions with my team members to prepare myself for the battle ahead of us,” Syerleena said.
On the other hand, Hui Ying said she was grateful for the opportunity given to her to contest despite being an advocate for working behind the scenes all these years.
“I am thankful to our chief minister for encouraging me to contest.
“To me, it is all about doing the best for the people in any way possible,” Hui Ying said during the interview.
When asked what made her agree to be fielded as a candidate, she said Chow, as well as other Penang DAP leaders, have asked her to step up and take on the role of an MP to address issues of the people on a national level.