CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged the voters to grab their second chance to change the political landscape of Malaysia come the 15th General Election (GE15) on Nov 19.
The Penang DAP chairman hit the ground running by launching his operation centre at No. 19, Jalan Chain Ferry in Taman Chai Leng, Seberang Perai after submitting his nomination form today to contest the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat (PO46).
He looked fit and spoke with gusto after recovering from a Covid-19 infection.
A four-term Tanjong MP, Chow is contesting the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat for the first time.
It will be a five-cornered fight as he faces four contestants – Lee Ah Leong (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), Tan Lee Huat (Barisan Nasional), Wong Chia Zhen (Perikatan Nasional) and Ong Chin Wen (Warisan).
A big group of supporters and party comrades turned up to lend their moral support at the operation centre. Accompanying Chow was his wife, Tan Lean Kee.
“We must not let loose the second opportunity that I believe will be granted by the Malaysian voters this time,” Chow said in his speech to thunderous applause.
“Grab the second chance or you may not have any more chances. Therefore, the message is clear, get the voters out, and share the message of why this election is important for us to continue the long march to reform the country, and to bring about the changes that the people have long desired after 60 years of Barisan Nasional rule and another three years or two-and-a-half years under the backdoor government of PN (Perikatan Nasional) and BN (Barisan Nasional).
“The stars are bright at the Batu Kawan centre this morning.
“Let us use this campaign period to bring the message across and inspire all the voters to join us in this mission to rebuild, reform and redefine Malaysia into the future.
“It’s our responsibility to share this message with the rakyat. If we do not share this important message, what is the difference between GE15 and other previous general elections?
“This is a golden opportunity for a change in our country’s situation. If given the mandate by the people, Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be an able coalition to head to Putrajaya once again.”
Chow added that he believed with PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim leading the coalition’s campaign, the Anwar magic would work in this country.
He also urged the Penang voters to heed DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s advice to let the state lead.
“Let Penang lead in having the highest voter turnout. Let us focus on our campaign with a good message to drive and inspire the voters to come out and vote, and to join us in this reformation of Malaysia,” Chow said loudly.
He said it would be a new experience for him to contest in Batu Kawan although he had been the Tanjong MP for four terms, adding that Batu Kawan is huge that it is so many times larger than Tanjong.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, state PKR adviser Datuk Law Choo Kiang, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and DAP senior politician Lim Kit Siang were invited to address the crowd.
Dr Ramasamy, who is also the Perai assemblyman, said DAP would overcome whatever challenges in Batu Kawan and emerge victorious.
But he said the important thing is for the people to come out to vote and not to take it lightly that Pakatan would win Batu Kawan.
“Tell your friends to come out and vote. It is the measure of support you can give to Pakatan Harapan. And as Saudara Kit Siang has always said, since we have not given up hope, we must give a sense of future to the people.
“We must make sure that Malaysia will emerge as a plural and multiracial society. That is the hope, that is burning in our hearts. Without hope, our struggles will be futile,” Dr Ramasamy said.
Law said he attended the ceremony as a voter in Batu Kawan, not in his capacity as a State Speaker.
“I have contested in this area before and I will share my experience with CM Chow,” Law said.
Guan Eng said DAP would take the campaign seriously and fight to the end.
“We must try to win as many seats as possible. If possible, win all seats. We need to put up a strong showing.
“With the economy getting worse, the prices of goods going up, and the declining value of the ringgit, we must make a change. It is for our children’s future,” Guan Eng said.
Kit Siang said Penang would be the frontline state in this general election to save the country.
“Malaysia is savable and it is worth it. Malaysia can be the best in the world, not a second-rate or mediocre country.
“BN at first believed it can (win the election). But the mood has started to change. PH leads BN. What we need is a high voter turnout. A low turnout is a loss for us,” Kit Siang said.
Chow and his wife, together with the main leaders like Kit Siang, Guan Eng and Dr Ramasamy, later performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the operation centre.
Chow said because of its vastness, there will be other operation centres in Juru and Bukit Tambun.
Also present were state executive councillors Phee Boon Poh, Chong Eng, Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee, incumbent Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, Tanjong parliamentary candidate Lim Hui Ying, and state DAP Wanita chairman Lim Siew Khim, who is also the Sungai Pinang assemblyman, assemblymen Heng Lee Lee (Berapit), Teh Lai Heng (Komtar), Daniel Gooi (Pengkalan Kota) and Ong Ah Teong (Batu Lancang), state PKR vice-chairman Goh Choon Aik (Bukit Tambun assemblyman), former Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai, former state executive councillors Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim and Datuk Lydia Ong, and campaign director David Marshall.
Batu Kawan, which encompasses three state constituencies of Perai, Bukit Tengah and Bukit Tambun, is one of the 13 parliamentary seats in Penang. Polling day has been set for Nov 19.