Big three eye lion’s share of 13 seats in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: With campaigning having crossed the halfway mark, the big three coalitions – Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional – are likely to claim the 13 parliamentary seats in the state.
Going by the sentiment on the ground, Pakatan appears to be a strong bet to capture at least six constituencies – Batu Kawan, Bagan, Tanjong, Jelutong, Permatang Pauh and Bukit Mertajam.
Their ceramah have drawn a reasonably good turnout at open fields, coffee shops or on social media.
After its dismal performance in GE14, Barisan is expected to bounce back this time around, especially in their previously “safe seats” of Balik Pulau, Tasek Gelugor and Kepala Batas.
Although former minister Sim Tze Tzin holds the edge in Bayan Baru as the Pakatan incumbent from PKR, Barisan might spring a surprise there if MCA poster girl Saw Yee Fung can win over voters with her hard work, dynamism and down-to-earth nature.
As for Perikatan, unlike in other states, the coalition may not make a major impact in its debut in Penang.
However, it can push Barisan all the way to the finish line in the Malay-dominated areas on the Penang mainland.
Results of the remaining three seats in Bukit Gelugor, Bukit Bendera and Nibong Tebal are expected to go down to the wire.
In its first foray into the state, Parti Warisan is not expected to give the big three a run for their money.
As for the Independent candidates,
it will be a mammoth task to overcome their competitors. Some may even face the ignominy of losing their RM10,000 election deposit.
Over in Kedah, it won’t be an easy ride for the big three, with new kid on the block Pejuang ready to gatecrash their party in the Malay heartland.
The two hot seats – Jerlun and Pokok Sena – remain a touch-andgo affair with no clear favourites so far.
In Jerlun, the real fight is among the incumbent and Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Perikatan’s Abd Ghani Ahmad and Othman Aziz of Barisan, with the winning margin likely to be very slim.
In the holiday island of Langkawi, Perjuang chairman and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is defending his seat, may have just a slight edge over his rival Datuk Armishah Siraj of Barisan.
Another fiery battle is taking place in Alor Setar with Barisan’s Tan Chee Hiong of MCA, Perikatan’s Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamuddin and Pakatan’s Simon Ooi featured in the seven-cornered fight.