Oh highlighting the lack of parking bays in Bayan Baru. - KT GOH/The Star
SOLVING the perennial traffic and flood issues in Bayan Baru will be Oh Tong Keong’s top priority if he wins in the coming state polls.
The Perikatan Nasional candidate is no stranger to the Pantai Jerejak constituency as the political veteran, who is Penang Gerakan chief, has been dealing with the issues there for many years.
“There is a limited number of parking spaces and almost every day, people are stuck in traffic jam.
“When it rains, the roads here are the first to be flooded.
Oh highlighting the lack of parking bays in Bayan Baru. - KT GOH/The Star
“This is supposed to be a developed area but many problems have not been sorted out,” he said at a press conference to announce his manifesto at his operation centre in Bayan Baru.
Included in Oh’s manifesto are ideas to improve the infrastructure in the area.
“I will ask for more parking spaces, and some of the roads need to be turned into one-way routes.
“I also want to improve the drainage system to prevent floods.”
He said it was also time to upgrade the busy Bayan Baru market.
Oh hopes to upgrade Bayan Baru market in Bayan Lepas. – Filepic
“Despite having the mandate for three terms, the state government has not done anything to improve the market,” he said.
Oh said his manifesto included creating a “Little India” in Bayan Baru to cater to the Indian community there.
“During festivals, they have to drive all the way to town to buy necessities and this just adds to the traffic issues.
“This idea will bring more business opportunities too.”
Oh also aims to build a sports complex in Pantai Jerejak.
“Give me five years and let me show you what I can do.
“I understand your struggles,” he urged the constituents.
He said he had received good feedback from the people.
“It is better compared to the response last year when I was campaigning for the Bayan Baru parliamentary seat.
“Many people recognise me and seem to support having someone new to take care of their needs,” he added.
In November last year, Oh contested the Bayan Baru parliamentary seat but lost to Pakatan Harapan’s Sim Tze Tzin.
This time, for the Pantai Jerejak state seat, Oh will be up against Fahmi Zainol from Pakatan, Priyankaa Loh (Muda) and Ravinder Singh (Parti Rakyat Malaysia).
The seat was held by Pakatan’s Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who secured 14,014 votes in the last state election in 2018.
Saifuddin’s opponents were Oh (3,298 votes), PAS’ Mohd Farhan Yusri (1,670 votes) and Malaysian United Party’s Yim Boon Leong (97 votes).
