Penang Dap Alarmed Over Losing 20pct Chinese Votes Cites Surveys

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STATE POLLS | Penang is considered a safe deposit state for DAP but there appears to be growing concern that Aug 12 could spring a surprise in terms of Chinese votes.
Citing several unspecified surveys, Penang DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying claimed that a significant number of Chinese voters could cast their ballots for Perikatan Nasional (PN), not turn up on polling day, or cast spoilt votes.
Apart from making inroads in Penang, she claimed the surveys showed the Muhyiddin Yassin-led coalition could win Negeri Sembilan and bag more seats in Selangor.
“I am not certain if this is true, but I have received many (messages) telling me not to be complacent,” said Hui Ying, who is also the deputy education minister.
Since DAP’s support in Penang comes mainly from the Chinese community, she said losing 20 percent of the ballots would be an alarming situation.
Penang DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying“Do not be complacent, do not think we are sure to win. Just now, I received another message saying Penang (DAP) has lost 20 percent of Chinese support.
“They might choose not to vote, spoil their votes, or vote for PN,” said Hui Ying during the opening ceremony of DAP's campaign office in Pengkalan Kota today.
‘Work hard to seek every vote’
Commenting on the surveys, Penang DAP chief and caretaker chief minister Chow Kow Yeow, who was present at the function, also found it disconcerting and echoed Hui Ying that DAP should not rest on its laurels.
“The (surveys) results show that we cannot take it lightly and must continue to work hard to seek every vote,” he said.
Responding to the large turnout at the PN mega ceramah in Sungai Dua last night, Chow said all parties have their respective strongholds.
“I also made it clear last night (at the launching of Penang DAP and BN joint manifesto) that even though we are confident, we are only confident in 26 seats.
“We cannot claim that we can win more than 35 to 40 seats. These seats still require more effort,” he added.
Penang DAP chief and caretaker chief minister Chow Kow YeowPenang DAP is also facing an internal crisis following the axing of several incumbent assemblypersons from the line-up. There are also allegations that the faction aligned with the party’s national chairperson, Lim Guan Eng, is seeking to replace Chow as chief minister.
In the 2018 general election, Pakatan Harapan won 37 of the 40 state seats, including two secured by Bersatu representatives when they were with the coalition, while BN obtained two, and PAS, one.
In February 2020, Bersatu quit Harapan. The crisis in PKR also saw two of its assemblypersons sacked - Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya) and Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh).
In March this year, Bersatu’s four assemblypersons were forced to vacate their seats under the state’s anti-hopping law.
The latest composition of the Penang state assembly prior to its dissolution was Harapan holding 33 seats, followed by BN (two) and PAS (one). - Mkini

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