New faces galore as Penang heads to GE14

As politicians on both sides of the divide scramble to finalise their candidates for the fast approaching 14th general election (GE14), the speculation wheel is spinning overtime about new faces being fielded by DAP and PKR in Penang.

It was announced during the 10th anniversary of Pakatan Harapan rule in Penang on March 11 that DAP will contest in 19 seats, PKR 14, Amanah three, and Bersatu, four.

Speculations are rife that at least eight new faces will be fielded by DAP this time around.

Among them is the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat, where its incumbent Zairil Khir Johari is expected to give way to Syerleena Abdul Rashid, who is currently a Penang Island city councillor.

She would be facing Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong, who is quite vocal on various issues at the national level.

Recently, Yong had called on Umno to tone down its racial rhetoric, in order to be more inclusive towards other races.

Zairil's recent marriage to party comrade Dyana Sofya Md Maud (photo) is not likely to dampen his move to a state exco position in the state government.

Although his integrity was put into question after he repeatedly denied having a relationship with Dyana following the leaking of several of their photographs together, Zairil is known to have served his constituents well.

Moving Zairil, who is a DAP member, to a state seat would also be a strategic move as Harapan looks to prop up its Malay representation in the state executive council, in case coalition partners Amanah, Bersatu and PKR, fail to deliver the much-needed votes of the community.

With Zairil taking over the duties of Tanjung Bungah DAP assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu, who is a critic of the state government's policies, he is also expected to contest the state seat.

The Tanjung Bungah state seat falls under the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency.

Should Zairil contest the seat, he will be challenged by Gerakan's H'ng Chee Way - an individual well known to the Chinese media, but not among the English-speaking crowd which dominates the Bukit Bendera seat.

Gerakan seems to have some support left in the constituency, thanks to former Gerakan secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye, who is no longer active in politics but maintains a presence among the locals there.

The seat vacated by one-term Pulau Tikus assemblyperson Yap Soo Huey, who recently said she was quitting to further her studies in the US, is expected to be given to fellow DAP member Chris Lee Chun Kit - a city councillor who is vocal in defending the state government and a familiar face in solving problems in the constituency.

Lee would most likely face state Gerakan acting Youth chief Jason Loo (photo), who had questioned many issues with the state government, from the sale of state land to the undersea tunnel project.

Another state seat to watch is the embattled Kebun Bunga state, currently held by PKR's Cheah Kah Peng. Although Cheah had indicated that he would defend his seat, his reputation as a "poor team player" may see him being relocated to another seat, probably outside Penang.

In case that happens, he is speculated to swap seats with Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung, who would return to his hometown in Penang, where his father Gooi Hock Seng was once the DAP chief.

Although there has been some bad blood between Hock Seng and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, dating back to 1990 during the campaign to oust Gerakan's Koh Tsu Koon and install Kit Siang as the Penang chief minister, Hock Seng's support to the DAP administration would be very much appreciated now, as in politics, old wounds always heal to pave way for a better future.

If the Lim family still finds the Goois a threat in their stronghold of Penang, PKR might field Gan Ay Ling, a newcomer and Penang city councillor, in Kebun Bunga.

However, Gan may face some resistance from her own party members, as she is not a Penangite, and it would be hard to justify her candidacy at this point in time. -Mkini