GE14: PRM set to be third force in Penang
The socialist party is targetting to contest 30 state
seats, as it attempts to make a comeback after a long political hiatus,
and calls on Penangites to support them.
Penang Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) leaders and members ready to go to battle in GE14.
GEORGE TOWN: Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) has set its sights on 30 out
of the 40 state seats in Penang in the 14th general election (GE14), as
it attempts to make a comeback after a long political hiatus.
Its state chairman Tang Hiang Lye, in announcing this today, said the
party was in the midst of identifying potential candidates to contest
the seats on the island, with the party looking for fresh faces.
Candidates to contest the state seats on the mainland have already been identified, he said.
Tang said the party has decided to make a comeback upon seeing the
present Penang government “not doing much to uplift the living standards
of Penangites”, after the previous Barisan Nasional government was
toppled in the 12th general election in 2008.
Penang
Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) chairman Tang Hiang Lye (right) speaking in
a press conference today. With him are GE14 candidates (from left) Chua
Cheong Wee, Yeoh Seng Huat, Lai Yean Nee, and Chew Seng Tung.
“Issues of cronyism and corruption, as well as serious abuse of
power, which were prevalent in BN’s time, are still happening. These
have stimulated us to come back.
“If we get the power to form the state government, we will formulate
policies that are people-centric. We will also fix the mistakes of the
present state government’s policies,” he said, adding that the party
will not be cooperating with any other pacts or parties for the coming
polls.
Tang said this in a press conference held at a coffeeshop here today.
Several PRM flags, bearing the image of a bull, were hung outside the
coffeeshop.
Tang also announced five candidates who would be contesting Penang
state seats under the PRM banner in GE14, namely former National Union
of Journalists (NUJ) leader Chua Cheong Wee, former journalist Chew Seng
Tung, Yeoh Cheng Huat, Lai Yean Nee and Tan Kim Hock.
The five are among the new members who just joined the PRM. Tang
expressed hope that their entry into the PRM will help draw attention to
the party, as well as attract youngsters to support them.
Tang also announced that Chua will be heading the new Padang Kota PRM
branch, together with Lai, while Chew has been tasked to set up the
Pengkalan Kota branch.
It was previously reported that Chua will be taking on DAP incumbent
Chow Kon Yeow in Padang Kota, while Chew is expected to contest the
Pengkalan Kota state seat, currently held by Lau Keng Ee.
Chew called on voters who were ready to spoil their votes (in reference to the #UndiRosak movement), to vote for PRM.
“You do not have to force yourself to vote for someone you don’t want
to. If you want, if you are ready to spoil your vote, I suggest you
vote PRM.
“Send us to the Penang state assembly, so we can be the state government, and create a better future for Penang,” he said.
Lai shared his view, calling on Penangites to give them a chance as the third force, for a better future.
Apart from the state seats, Tang said the party would also be contesting in all 13 parliamentary seats in the Penang.
“Candidates for seven parliamentary seats have already been decided, while the rest are still being decided,” he said.
PRM, as part of the larger Socialist Front alliance, won many wards
in the 1961 Penang local elections, garnering 14 out of 15 under the
then-George Town City Council.
However, the party which is best remembered for its bull’s head logo, has been on political hiatus for a long time.
Its last attempt in contesting was an obscure one, where it fielded Azman Shah Othman in the 2015 Permatang Pauh by-election.
Two weeks ago, former DAP assemblywoman Jenice Lee announced that she
would be contesting under the PRM banner in the Teratai state seat and
Pandan parliamentary seat, which are both in Selangor.
It was previously reported that PRM has some 5,000 members
nationwide. It has also declared itself as a PH-friendly party by
supporting the opposition coalition’s events and activities.- FMT, 3/2/2018
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