(From left) H’ng, Chow, Suthakaran, Wong, Cheah and Teh indicating their candidate numbers at Dewan Sri Pinang in George Town. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI and LIM BENG TATT/The Star
PERIKATAN Nasional’s candidate H’ng Khoon Leng is aware that his chances of winning Padang Kota state seat are slim but he remains hopeful.
Standing in his way is Pakatan Harapan’s Chow Kon Yeow, 65, who is the caretaker Penang Chief Minister.
This will be their second showdown – Chow won the first round during the 2018 state election.
H’ng, 59, of Gerakan, said he would do his best to convince Penang citizens that Perikatan was a better choice.
“Anything can happen in this state poll.
“I hope to be given the chance to serve the people and make their lives better.”
On Gerakan being part of the Perikatan set-up that includes PAS, H’ng said people should not be fearful of the fundamentalist Islamist party.
“In my meetings with Penang PAS members, they kept an open mind on alcohol and lottery issues,” he said.
For the Pengkalan Kota state seat, it will be a clash of first-timers between Perikatan’s S. Suthakaran, 56, and Pakatan’s Wong Yuee Harng, 35.
Suthakaran, who is from Gerakan, said improving education for youth would be his priority.
“I have been involved in this field and also have done social work for the past 35 years.
“I hope to change the mindset of the people and pledge to work hard for them if I am elected,” said the businessman from Teluk Intan, Perak.
The father of two girls, however, said he considered himself a Penangite since he has been living here for 37 years.
The Komtar state seat will see the battle of Perikatan’s debutant Cheah Kim Huat, 56, and Pakatan’s incumbent Teh Lai Heng, 43.
Cheah is a Bersatu Bersekutu member and the Balik Pulau native is a construction company director.
At the nomination centre at Dewan Sri Pinang on Saturday, Chow said nominations went smoothly as all the candidates were accepted by the Election Commission.
For the first time, the nomination of candidates for the six states, including Penang, was conducted online.
The candidates’ hard-copy applications were handed to the Election Commission officers and their particulars were keyed into the online nomination forms.
For the Batu Lancang state seat, Perikatan’s Mohd Aswaad Jaafar, 40, said if elected, he would focus on settling the economic woes faced by small traders there.
The Penang Gerakan Youth vice-chairman is facing Pakatan’s incumbent Ong Ah Teong, 53.
“I have plans to help the traders and resolve the traffic congestion in the area,” Mohd Aswaad said.
Ong said a new carpark had been built near Batu Lancang market to provide more parking bays in the rapidly growing neighbourhood.
“We also recently provided new pedestrian walkways to elevate the neighbourhood’s status.”
Pakatan’s Connie Tan Hooi Peng, 33, who is contesting the Seri Delima seat, said she wanted to establish more elderly friendly amenities and infrastructure in the area.
“We want to support the state government’s vision, that is to transform Penang into an aged-friendly city.
“With my local council experience, I am confident that I will be able to contribute to the constituency,” said the former Penang island city councillor.
Tan will battle Perikatan’s Mohan Apparoo, 63, for the seat. Both are first-timers.
For the Paya Terubong state seat, Perikatan’s Andrew Ooi, 39, said he would look at growing the local micro economy.
Standing in his way will be Pakatan’s Wong Hon Wai, 50, who was twice Air Itam assemblyman and one-term Bukit Bendera MP.
Heng is contesting the Datok Keramat seat.
In Datok Keramat, Perikatan’s Heng See Lin, 42, is up against Pakatan’s incumbent Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Heng said she would focus on cleanliness, affordable housing and improving facilities for the elderly in the area.
Jagdeep said he would continue improving the affordable housing situation in Penang through the Penang Housing Board.
“We have, so far, delivered 153,000 units or about 70% of our initial target, which is 220,000 units by 2030.
“The prices of these houses ranged between RM42,000 and RM300,000,” he added.
Lim is defending the Sungai Pinang state seat.
Pakatan’s Lim Siew Khim, 53, is defending the Sungai Pinang seat in a four-cornered fight.
The Penang DAP assistant secretary said she would focus on the development of youths, women and the ageing community.
“I will also promote urban farming and green initiatives to ensure that Sungai Pinang becomes an eco-friendly and sustainable place for children and families.”
Independent candidate Andrew Rajah, 52, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s (PRM) Abdul Ghani Haroon, 58, and Perikatan’s Ng Fook On, 63, are the other contenders for the seat.
Abdul Ghani contested the Pinang Tunggal state seat in 1999 and Dusun Tua in Selangor in 2004. He lost both.
All the state seats in the Jelutong and Bukit Gelugor parliamentary constituencies, except for Sungai Pinang in Jelutong, will see a straight fight in the upcoming polls.
In Air Itam, Joseph Ng Soon Siang, 44, will defend his seat against Perikatan veteran Cheang Chee Gooi, 74.
Cheang, from Gerakan, served as Air Itam assemblyman from 2004 to 2008.
