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Wednesday January 16, 2008

CNY cards with message

By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG

prisdberg@thestar.com.my

PENANG: With the general election expected soon, several elected representatives are taking the opportunity to send out Chinese New Year greetings with political messages.

Sungai Pinang assemblyman Looi Swee Cheang said he would be sending out greeting cards this week with the message: “Be confident and stay with us. Looking forward to a better 2008.”

A personal card: Lee writing Chinese New Year greetings at his home in Penang before sending them out to his constituents.
He said the occasion was timely, as the general election should be held within the next six months.

Air Itam assemblyman Cheang Chee Gooi said he would be distributing invitations to his open house with a greeting and a short message thanking his constituents for their support over the past four years.

“I also ask my constituents to continue to work together to accomplish our common objectives and realise our vision,” said Cheang.

Komtar assemblyman Lim Gim Soon said he sent out cards with a message for a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year, peace and national stability annually, regardless of whether it was an election year or not.

Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lee Hack Teik said he was sending out a general Chinese New Year card without any special message but was enclosing a pocket calendar with his contact numbers and photos of his service team for easy reference.

Others are sending out different sorts of messages, like Jawi assemblyman Tan Cheng Liang, who said her greeting cards would spread the New Year message of happiness and joy, and promote love, unity and caring.

“Chinese New Year is not a campaign period. Besides, nobody knows when the general election will be called,” she said.

Bayan Baru MP Datuk Wong Kam Hoong, who is Culture, Arts and Heritage Deputy Minister, said he was in the process of sending out Chinese New Year cards with the normal season’s greetings and a cultural message promoting the Budi Bahasa (Courtesy) campaign.

Tanjung MP Chow Kon Yeow, who is state DAP chairman, said he had not sent out greeting cards for many years.

“I normally put up banners at strategic locations wishing my constituents Gong Xi Fa Cai. The banners do not carry any political message, but they bear my mugshot and the party symbol,” he said.

Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Boon Poh also said he and Bagan MP Lim Hock Seng would jointly put up banners wishing constituents a happy Chinese New Year.

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