Dato’
Mustafa Kamal, Director of Elections for PKR Pulau Pinang successfully gathered
about 500 election workers at several meeting points all around the Bayan Baru
(P52) parliamentary district last Sunday. Dato’ Mansor Othman, the Deputy
Chief Minister addressed the 300-strong crowd at its main site at Dewan JKKK
Taman Pekaka, Batu Uban, together with several other personalities like YB Sim Tze Tzin
(ADUN Pantai Jerejak), Dato’ Malik Kassim (ADUN Batu Maung) and YB Raveen (ADUN
Batu Uban).
The
air of excitement was further enhanced when a motorcycle convoy of about 30
bikes arrived at Taman Pekaka along with a decorated trailer behind blasting
the Parti Keadilan song. After a short briefing, all volunteers participated in
a house-to-house exercise to meet the voters in the three state constituencies
in Bayan Baru.
When
the crowd were asked: “Are you ready for Pakatan Rakyat?” the crowd replied in
a very spirited ‘Yes!’
The
overall response from the ground was very encouraging with all the election
directors in Bayan Baru providing similar reports. Bayan Baru aims to secure
all three state seats and one parliamentary seat under Keadilan, a feat which
was achieved in 2008 but tainted by an MP who decided to become an independent
in 2010.
“I
think we have a very strong and coordinated force with only one goal, which is
to maintain the results of 2008,” said Tan Seng Keat, the Election Director for
Bayan Baru.
65% support in Batu Maung (N37)
About
100-odd people thronged parts of Batu Maung to survey the area and give out
goodie bags which includes informational leaflets and newsletters, a free note
pad and a magazine.
“We
are confident to have a minimum of 65% support from our voters,” claimed
Azrizal Tahir, the Election Director of Batu Maung.
The
incumbent, Dato’ Malik Kassim won the Batu Maung seat in 2008 with a majority
of 3169 votes against Norlan Dahalan from UMNO. However, according to reports
there are more than 9000 new voters registered for the upcoming elections.
As
the only Malay majority area in Bayan Baru, the rejection of UMNO is obvious as
many of the programmes implemented in the area are all well received by the
community.
Chinese voters not a problem in Batu Uban
(N35)
The
Batu Uban team targeted 10 blocks of flats around the Taman Bukit Jambul area
to get feedback from the ground. At the same time another team led by YB Raveen
made their rounds in the constituency to greet the people.
“Many
people kept on asking about the candidate,” mentioned Cheah Kah Peng, the
Strategic Director for Keadilan Penang.
“It
should be taken into consideration that informed people cast their votes based
on the choice of candidate fielded,” he added.
Cheah
Peng Guan, the Election Director for Batu Uban is certain that the Chinese
votes were ‘not a problem’ in the area. Batu Uban is a Chinese majority area
with about 60% Chinese voters.
YB
Raveen, the current Keadilan state assemblyman had garnered a majority of 611
votes in 2008 ousting local favourite Goh Kheng Sneah from Gerakan who is
expected to contest again in GE-13.
All set in Pantai Jerejak (N36)
More
than 100 volunteers attended the meet-the-voters exercise at Pantai Jerejak.
Election Director Idriss Hassan is pleased with the turnout.
Similarly,
he echoes a favourable 60% secured vote from Pantai Jerejak.
YB
Sim Tze Tzin won the Pantai Jerejak in 2008 with a majority of 1258 votes
against Wong Mun Hoe from Gerakan.
YB
Sim and municipal councillor Hj. Rashid bin Hasnon recently co-organized a Chinese
New Year open house in Pantai Jerejak which included a ‘Chinese-Muslim’
presentation among its activities.
“The
momentum of Keadilan Bayan Baru is very good. Our machinery is ready for
GE-13,” Idriss said.
Ini
kalilah.
