BATU KAWAN (July 29): With former three-term Perai state assemblyman Ramasamy Palanisamy dropped from contesting again in the upcoming Penang state elections, four fresh candidates hope to win the mixed seat under the Batu Kawan federal constituency in Penang.

At Kolej Vokasional Seberang Perai here on Saturday (July 29), Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) chosen successor for Ramasamy — Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu from DAP, independent candidate David Marshel, Muda’s Vikneswary Harikrishnan and Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Sivasuntaram Rajalinggam were officially announced as Perai’s candidates. All are first timers.

Sundarajoo, former deputy president and deputy chief executive officer of Eco World Development Group Bhd, arrived at the nomination centre at about 8.45am with a strong 500-crowd comprising PH and Barisan Nasional supporters chanting “Kita boleh” (we can).

At the other end of the two-lane road, Marshel — who had recently quit DAP — and his smaller group of about 50 supporters arrived chanting “tolak Lim Guan Eng”, “Support Chow Kon Yeow” and “selamatkan Penang” (save Penang).

Marshel, who was a councillor with the Seberang Perai City Council, has earlier told the press that he is contesting with the aim of preventing Lim from becoming chief minister (CM) again. This is despite the party proposing that Chow continue serving as CM if PH wins Penang again.

Meanwhile, both Sivasuntaram from Gerakan, a component party of PN, and Vikneswary arrived in a more modest fashion.

Perai voter Alson Chiang Wern How told The Edge that he will vote for Marshel, who is a close confidant of Ramasamy, because of the duo’s long-term service to the community in Perai.

The 41-year-old, who has resided in Perai since birth, said he cannot accept Sundarajoo as a suitable replacement for Ramasamy.

Chiang said Sundarajoo is already in his 60s and also a parachute candidate who is not closely knitted with the community. Marshel is in his 40s.

Malathy Marshel said she gives her full support to her husband. Expressing disappointment in the PH leadership, she told The Edge that she and her 18-year-old daughter, who are voters under the Bukit Mertajam federal seat, would not vote for PH.

The couple grew up in Bukit Mertajam and have been members of DAP since 2008.

Meanwhile, businessman Johari Ramli, who wore a red T-shirt with printed words “Perpaduan, kita bersama” (Unity, we are together) told The Edge that the grassroots of BN and PH in the area have no issue collaborating in this election.  

“PH and BN are not into hate politics, only PN is,” the 62-year-old Bukit Tengah voter said as he mingled with the vice-president for Umno Batu Kawan Mohamad Saad Hanapi.

Johari himself had joined as an Umno member when he was 18 but left to PH in 2008, stating that he is a follower of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.  

A PN supporter, Mohd Husin Abdullah, who was present outside the nomination centre, said he was a PKR member for 10 years before he left to support PN in 2020.

“As a B40, I really feel the impact of the high living costs and Anwar is ineffective as a leader,” the 53-year-old mechanic told The Edge.

Campaign manager Siranjeev Ram, 25, said Muda is not intimidated by the crowds of BN, PH, and Marshel’s supporters at the nomination centre.

The freelance tutor, who just graduated from Universiti Utara Malaysia on international affairs management, said according to his survey, people on the ground are willing to give Muda a chance.

The Perai electorate in 2018 comprised Malays (12%), Chinese (51%), Indians (36%) and others (1%).

Besides the Perai state seat, Kolej Vokasional Seberang Perai is also the nomination centre for two other state seats under the Batu Kawan federal constituency, namely Bukit Tengah and Bukit Tambun.

Bukit Tengah will see a two-cornered fight between one-term incumbent Gooi Hsiao Leung (PH-PKR) and Baljit Singh Jigiri Singh (PN-Gerakan).

As for Bukit Tambun, one-term incumbent Goh Choon Aik (PH-PKR), Tan Gia Wei (PN-Gerakan) and Samuganathan Muniandy (Independent) are contesting.

Both Bukit Tengah and Bukit Tambun have been PKR seats since 2008.

Samuganathan said he has been an ambulance driver for 25 years, and has no other intentions for contesting except for his desire to serve the people.

The Election Commission has set Aug 12 as polling day for the elections in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, while early voting will be on Aug 8.

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