IT is crucial for the voters to exercise their right by choosing the right political coalition to lead the country in the 15th General Election (GE15), says Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow, who is also the Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said it is time to bring the country to greater heights, at least in Southeast Asia, in terms of economic performance.
“That can only happen when we vote for Harapan.
“As of now, our country is way behind the neighbouring countries, such as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand in economic growth. And we cannot let such a situation continue.
“After more than 60 years that our country has been led by Barisan Nasional (BN), we need to be brave to make a change. We cannot let our country continue falling behind other nations.
“We certainly do not want to see our country becoming a bankrupt country, like Sri Lanka and Greece.
“So, we must exercise our rights by coming out to vote on polling day, on Nov 19.
“This election is important for us to choose a better future for our country so that it does not fall into the wrong hands that can do damage to our beloved country,” Chow said in his fiery speech during a ceramah at Taman Merak in Simpang Ampat.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, who is also the Perai assemblyman, Jawi assemblyman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor David Marshel, former Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai and incumbent Balik Pulau MP Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik.
Earlier, Chow in another ceramah at Perkampungan Valdor in Bukit Tambun, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the constituents in Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency for the amazing support he received during his five days of campaigning.
“I want to record my appreciation to the voters in Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency that consists of Perai, Bukit Tengah and Bukit Tambun for their moral support to me as a Batu Kawan parliamentary candidate for the GE15.
“Every vote of yours counts. It is important for me to win the Batu Kawan seat so that the positive development in this parliamentary constituency could be continued.
“I may be unable to solve every issue in Batu Kawan in a short period if elected as the MP, but at the very least, as a Batu Kawan MP and chief minister, I can put a solid foundation or roadmap to solve those issues.
“This GE15 is not just about me and Batu Kawan, it is about us. Every one of us must play our part to save this country from kleptocrats. We must save our country from being robbed by those people,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, a sea of people thronged the Pakatan Harapan ceramah at the Batu Lancang market open space car park despite a downpour in the evening.
Bagan candidate Lim Guan Eng delivered a powerful and straight-from-the-heart speech.
“We want a country where our children can be proud of,” he addressed the people.
Guan Eng spoke about Penang.
“Since we came into power in Penang back in 2008, we have worked very hard to bring about positive change and transformation.
“Have we succeeded?” he questioned and received a resounding ‘YES’ from the crowd.
Guan Eng continued: “Yes, we have succeeded. But, it took us at least five years.”
“If we only have 22 months, I don’t think we can do much.
“Even our ‘signature’ annual aid for senior citizen programme was only initiated in Penang after our third year, and not within 22 months.
“Despite that, when we were in Putrajaya for 22 months, we managed to do something for the people.
“We managed to reduce the North-South Expressway toll, as well as the toll for the Penang Bridge and the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.
“And you (the people) are the beneficiaries.
“Despite that, we were being criticised for doing what ‘they’ have not done. And yet ‘they’ talked big,” Guan Eng said.
He also highlighted the weak Malaysian ringgit against the US dollar, Singapore dollar and Indonesian rupiah; the shortage of egg supplies; and Barisan Nasional’s move to call for the general election towards the end of the year and exposing the people to the risks of floods.
“Come out and vote for a better Malaysia. Let us be able to tell our children that we have done something right for our country.
“Remember, because of our hard work (yours and ours), we have changed Penang for the better,” he added.
Tanjong candidate Lim Hui Ying also urged voters to go out and cast their votes on Nov 19.
“We love Penang, we love Malaysia. For your love for the country, please come out and vote.
“We want a better country for our future generation,” Hui Ying said.
Other politicians including Jelutong candidate R.S.N. Rayer, Bukit Bendera candidate Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi also spoke at the ceramah.
Syerleena called on the voters to choose Harapan for a brighter and caring Malaysia.
She stressed on having a ‘Bangsa Malaysia’ for Malaysia so that all people, irrespective of race and religion, would be treated equally and fairly.
Former Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) leader Datuk Gary Nair, who spoke in fluent Hokkien, had the crowd in stitches with his witty remarks.
He also spoke against corruption, political ‘frogs’ and a bloated Cabinet.
Rayer, who is defending the Jelutong parliamentary seat, said it was Harapan and the people who voted for Harapan in 2018 that led to the imprisonment of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for corruption.
“Had it not been for Harapan and you voters who voted for Harapan, do you think Najib would be in jail today?” he asked in his speech.
He urged the voters to vote for Harapan again as the coalition could not fulfil all the pledges in only 22 months after being dislodged by ‘traitors’ crossing over to the other side.
Rayer said the good governance of all three states – Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan – under Harapan is proof that the voters must choose Harapan candidates from Perlis to Sabah in order to recapture Putrajaya on Nov 19.