A resounding victory in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Voters in Penang have handed the DAP-led Pakatan Harapan government here its biggest majority since it took over the state in 2008.
Despite the issues raised by the Opposition on the environment, traffic congestion and affordable housing, national issues took precedence for voters.
Pakatan won 37 out of the 40 state seats and 11 out of the 13 parliamentary seats.
Barisan Nasional (BN) only won two parliamentary seats, Tasek Gelugor and Kepala Batas, while hanging on to the state seats in Teluk Bahang and Permatang Berangan.
PAS was a surprise victor in the Penaga state seat.
Former Penang PAS Youth head Mohd Yusni Piah defeated BN incumbent Datuk Mohd Zain Ahmad with a majority of 1,132 votes.
There was also a huge shift in Malay support, reflected particularly in Balik Pulau where PKR’s Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik defeated former deputy health minister Datuk Seri Abdul Hilmi Yahya with a majority of 6,464.
Political analyst Yusmadi Yusoff said the Malays have finally put their trust in DAP, adding that the “Mahathir factor” definitely helped.
He said the role played by PH’s strategist Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was also significant. Saifuddin made history by winning two separate seats, in Kedah and Penang.
He won the Pantai Jerejak state seat and went on to defeat BN incumbent Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir in the Kulim-Bandar Baru parliamentary seat in Kedah.
The wipeout of BN’s component parties Gerakan, MIC and MCA has raised doubts whether the pact is still relevant in Penang.