PENANG Pakatan Harapan is aiming to win more seats in the Penang state election.
State Pakatan Harapan chairman Chow Kon Yeow said if the coalition could win 30 to 32 seats it contested, that would be excellent.
“The 26 seats mentioned by Penang PKR vice-chairman Goh Choon Aik are referring to the seats contested by the candidates from the Pakatan Harapan coalition.
“I feel that the figure mentioned is the minimum, and it can be improved for us to secure a two-thirds majority.
“Pakatan Harapan is contesting 34 seats while our Barisan Nasional counterpart is contesting six seats in Penang,” Chow replied to a question by a journalist at New World Park today.
Separately, Chow was asked about Penang Umno state liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin’s speech during the Penang Unity Manifesto 2023 launching ceremony yesterday (Aug 1).
Dr Shaik Hussein alleged that a religious teacher or ustaz from PAS had told voters to stay away from ‘kenduris’ organised by Umno or they would be condemned to hell.
Dr Shaik Hussein said he heard about the ‘warning’ when he attended a ‘kenduri’ hosted by a villager recently.
Following that, Penang Umno state liaison committee chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir slammed PAS in his speech.
“Going to heaven or hell is not PAS’ right to decide. The party has no right to decide who should go to heaven or hell,” he said.
Chow said PAS is practising a ‘very unhealthy’ election campaign.
“This is similar to bringing the country back to the 1980s when PAS was contesting against Umno.
“Muslims were divided between PAS and Umno supporters. Their supporters are not able to enter certain mosques and they are not expected to take part in certain celebrations or gatherings.
“This is not healthy and as Datuk Musa had said, it is not for PAS to decide who can go to heaven or hell.
“It is a very appropriate response by Datuk Musa,” Chow said.
Chow said many issues could be brought up during the election campaign period.
“We can talk about the performance of the state and Federal Government, the local councils, the district offices, or even the road and traffic conditions.
“There are so many things for which one can hold the government responsible.
“Creating animosity among yourself and between different ethnic groups must not be one of them.
“We are all for a harmonious society, not only between ethnic groups but also within religious groups,” he said.