PENANG Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its state counterpart Barisan Nasional (BN) launched the Penang Unity Manifesto 2023 at Butterworth Arena in Seberang Perai yesterday evening.
State PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the manifesto serves to drive the state towards a prosperous economy under the Madani Economy Framework.
“It is also to diversify aid and assistance to benefit the needy regardless of age, background and organisations.
“The manifesto will further drive the state towards greater heights while making sure Penangites continue to live in a peaceful, harmonious and quality-driven environment.
“This is a historic day for Penang because for the first time, we will be heading to the state election not as a single coalition (PH) but we have a new partner in BN.
“This unity government, under the administration of our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was formed for a better future for all, and most importantly for our country Malaysia,” Chow said in his speech before launching the Penang Unity Manifesto 2023.
The manifesto consists of 16 main themes and 50 manifesto promises.
The 16 main themes are – Concern for the People’s Welfare, Advocate Socioeconomic Well-Being, Boost High-Skilled Employment, Uphold the Islamic Faith, Essential Infrastructure Development, Rural Development Balance, Human Capital Development, Housing for All, Women and Youth Empowerment, Food Supply Security, Strengthening the Tourism and Service Sector, Traffic Management Initiatives, Promoting Multicultural Harmony, Upholding Democracy, Protecting Penang’s Rights, and Environmental Resilience Towards Climate Change.
Penang DAP vice-chairman Zairil Khir Johari presented the manifesto before Chow’s speech.
Meanwhile, Penang BN chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir, during his speech, vowed that BN would work very hard to win all the six seats it is contesting in the state election.
He also went on to publicly inform those present that Chow has the full backing of BN to retain the Chief Minister’s post in Penang if the PH-BN coalition wins and forms a unity government in the state.
National DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, who was one of the speakers earlier, took the stage by storm with his energetic speech.
Among others who delivered speeches were national Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, national PKR leadership council vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, Penang BN deputy chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin, Penang PKR leadership council deputy chairman Goh Choon Aik and Penang Amanah chairman Datuk Dr Roslan Ahmad.
All 40 ‘Unity’ candidates who are contesting in Penang were formally introduced.
Of the 40 state seats in Penang, 29 are straight fights, seven are three-cornered, and four are four-cornered fights.
Chow, during his speech, said that if given the chance to lead the state as its Chief Minister for a second time, he would continue with the efforts that were made since 2008 after PH took over Penang.
“Over the past 15 years under the administration of Pakatan Harapan, Penang has proven its success in attracting over RM200 billion worth of approved manufacturing investments.
“To further strengthen human capital development in Penang, schools in the state have received annual allocations exceeding RM146 million.
“Adhering to the principle of being a welfare state, the Penang government is committed to allocating over RM417 million in aid to those in need, regardless of their background, race, or religion.
“All these achievements have been made possible due to the trust and mandate given by the people of Penang to Pakatan Harapan,” he said.
Chow said it is important for Penang to experience continuous socioeconomic growth in the next five years.
“Continuous socioeconomic growth will create platforms for the younger generations to venture and prosper in their preferred fields.
“If we are given the mandate once again, our aim includes improving the people’s well-being, improving the economy to increase household income, empowering the people to increase public participation and investing in the built environment to improve resilience,” he added.
Towards the end of his speech, Chow delivered a poem before reciting the ‘We are Penang, We Can’ slogan to uplift the people’s spirit.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhammad