Ever since Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim's exit from PKR last year, the BN has been eyeing his constituency, with the hope of wresting it back come the 13th general election.

This is bolstered by the view in BN component parties, especially Gerakan, that PKR is the weakest link in Pakatan Rakyat.

But it is uncertain how Gerakan will lay claim to the seat when ally MCA is said to be also interested in fielding a candidate, since Bayan Baru was once held by former Penang party head Wong Kam Hoong.

NONE PKR Bayan Baru division chief Sim Tze Tsin has now joined the fray, saying that he is not about to let the constituency - dubbed PKR's 'hot seat' - slip into rival hands.

Sim, the Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson, has dismissed the BN's hope of reclaiming the seat, saying that the coalition’s leaders have an "inflated ego and (are) day dreaming".

He claimed that Pakatan may win with a bigger majority in Bayan Baru, which oversees three state seats - Pantai Jerejak, Batu Uban and Batu Maung - all of which are held by PKR.

Sim said PKR has been working hard since the last polls in 2008, to determine what voters want.

pkr ceramah in bayan baru penang 300409 04 "We are a truly multiracial party, which is a model for the future of all political parties that hope to do well," he told Malaysiakini .

"Because our leaders and supporters are made up of the various ethnic groups, we are able to reach out to all communities. We have been so much on the ground that we are aware of the movement and opinions of the electorate."

He dismissed Gerakan’s complaint that service centres under Pakatan representatives are not accessible to constituents.

PKR had started services centres in four "strategic" corners of Bayan Baru alone - Taman Brown (north), Bukit Jambul (central), Sungai Ara (south-west) and Batu Maung (south-east).

He said it was Gerakan which had "moved out" of its service centre, leaving PKR representatives to deal with its supporters.

‘BN supporters with PKR’

Sim also said PKR leaders are proficient in several languages and represent various communities, which allows the party to run public programmes without much help from its allies.

penang government tolak fitnah forum 120210 pkr bayan baru division pc "We have even managed to conquer the BN forces and supporters who come to tell us that, although they are members of the ruling coalition, their hearts are very much with us," he claimed.

"We know of a Batu Uban BN leader who got booed by the crowd when he spoked on stage one day. Although it (faces discriminatation) within the BN, Gerakan continues to rely on Umno for votes.”

Sim said Pakatan leaders are "very moderate" in their views and actions. This, coupled with their multiracial principles, will ensure a winning formula for PKR to capture the imagination of voters.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has also “promised” to allow only those who are "loyal and capable” to stand as candidates, following the departure of several defectors since 2008.

"Based on all these reasons, I urge Gerakan leaders to wake up and stop daydreaming - it is they who have not able to face the current political reality," Sim added.