Sunday February 10, 2013
No snaking around politics this Lunar New Year
By SIRA HABIBU
sira@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: The Year of the Snake is here and politics is in the air.
Beneath the prevailing festive mood, much of the talk is about the impending general election.
Speculation is rife that Parliament could be dissolved on Feb 22, even before Chap Goh Mei, which falls on Feb 25.
Some political pundits, however, believe that Parliament would not be dissolved until after the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima), scheduled to be held from March 26 to 30.
But whether it happens in a matter of days or weeks, political parties from both sides of the divide are busy trying to impress voters with the hippest Chinese New Year do.
Barisan Nasional appears to have stolen the thunder by inviting Korean star Psy, who has taken the world by storm with his Gangnam Style, to perform at its open house in Penang tomorrow.
Penang Barisan coordinator Teng Chang Yeow said Chinese New Year was a joyous occasion for all to share.
“Let's enjoy this joyous occasion, and not be drawn into a political storm stirred by Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.
Teng chided DAP for instigating people to wear yellow, red, orange and green outfits to the Barisan Nasional open house (yellow for Bersih, red for oil royalty, orange for Felda, and green for anti-Lynas).
“Pakatan Rakyat is politicising everything and provoking the people,” he said.
Teng said Psy's performance in Penang would help put the island on the global tourism map.
Kedah DAP chairman Lee Guan Aik said the party would also have Gangnam Style dance during its Chinese New Year open house at Starwalk, Alor Setar, tomorrow evening.
“There will be traditional Chinese entertainment, songs, as well as lion and dragon dances,” he said, adding that the event would be held from 7pm to 11pm.
Selangor MCA secretary Wong Koon Mun said the festive season could also be used for campaigning.
“People can still change their mind at the last minute. What is most important is for the leaders to listen, listen, and listen to the rakyat,” he said.
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