Six-cornered fight expected for hot seat

Gloves off as parties vie for win in Sungai Pinang

GEORGE TOWN: The Sungai Pinang state seat on the island is expected to witness a six-cornered fight, making it one of the hottest seats in Penang.

State Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow and DAP’s renegade Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu are eyeing the seat.

Teng is said to be keen as he sees it as winnable in light of the multi-cornered fight.

“Gerakan held the seat for almost three decades before the political tsunami swept the DAP in.

“Teng is keen to contest since the seat has sizeable Malay voters. With the Chinese votes being split, he feels he has the best chance of winning there,” said a source.

There were 23,536 voters there in the last general election with 54% of them being Chinese, 31% Malays and 14% Indian.

Lim Siew Khim of DAP won with a 4,707 vote majority in the last general election. She defeated Dr Thor Teong Gee of Barisan and independent Mohamed Yaacob Mohamed Noor.

Lim is seen as carrying some baggage after a controversy in 2016.

A video clip went viral which purportedly showed her father Lim Keat Seong soliciting bribes to help obtain low-cost housing units in Penang from as early as June 2015.

Teh said he would join the fray as the area has one of the largest concentration of urban poor on the island.

“My focus is on helping those in need, so this is where I will go,” he said.

On why he would not defend his Tanjung Bungah seat, he said he had an understanding with DAP, which he is quitting.

“If I rely on my reputation in Tanjung Bungah to defend the seat, DAP will perceive me as exploiting on my past resources.

“The party leaders told me they consider this as unethical. So I will not contest in Tanjung Bungah.”

The Malaysian United Party (MUP), the Penang Front Party and PAS are said to be eyeing the seat as well.