Even before nomination day on May 12, the Bukit Gelugor by-election fixed for May 25 is beginning to look like it will be a crowded affair.

Other than the newly announced Penang Front Party - a coalition of 44 Chinese NGOs - which declared its intention to contest the seat, Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) said it is mulling to join the fray.

It is most likely that the MCA, despite some reservations in the BN camp, will be putting up a challenge against the DAP for the seat which fell vacant after Karpal Singh’s shocking death due to a car crash on the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung, Perak, on April 17.

Last week, Independent candidate Yaakob Ibrahim who contested for the Jelutong parliamentary and Sungai Pinang state seats last year, also announced his intention to contest for the Bukit Gelugor seat, which has 80,000-over registered voters.

PCM vice-president Huan Cheng Guan today said that the void left by the late Karpal Singh needs to be filled by someone “courageous enough to speak up” and tackle issues of local and national importance.

This would also be the first time that PCM, launched after 2008, will be contesting a seat in the island.

Asked of his chances of victory among several players, Huan quipped, “As long as I do not lose my deposit, it should be okay.”

Huan said he has considered contesting as the DAP which leads the state government which also has PKR and PAS representatives, has committed “many blunders”.

He said he will list down 100 blunders the DAP-led government has committed when he releases his election manifesto.

“The people fear these, they dare not speak up. They will vote for me,” he said.

“My decision is not based on any self-aggrandisement motivation but because I strongly believe there is a pressing need to fill that space in Parliament so that our country can move forward,” said Huan.

He urged the public to review his record of accomplishment as a former Gerakan vice-president, MP for Batu Kawan from 2004-2008 and PCM veep that had enriched his experience and abilities.

‘People-centred, not party-centred’

“Never has any defeat or failure in any circumstance been a hindrance to me,” Huan said.

“Rather, past disappointments and even successes have both shaped my political perspective to be one that is people-centred, not party-centred,” he added.

Huan said when he was no longer MP and held no special position in any government arm, he continued to serve people by voicing concerns that affected every single Malaysian near and far.

To achieve this, Huan set up the Centre for Political Awareness (CPAM) to increase awareness of issues by spreading truths and stopping lies.

“Even when netizens mocked me, I pressed on speaking up without fear or favour just so people can have a fair and balanced perspective of the situation,” he said.  

“I have never compromised my stand on principles or beliefs, nor have I feared voicing out my concerns for the sake of Malaysians,” he added.

Huan said many may not know but he was born in Green Lane, which falls under the Bukit Gelugor constituency.

As a true-born Penangite, he felt the time has come for him to give back to the constituency which “moulded” him into what he is today.

He prefers to stand in a Chinese majority seat, while he had contested the Batu Kawan parliamentary and Bukit Tambun state seats in the May 5 general election last year, in which he had lost.

“If I decide to stand, I will reveal my election manifesto after nomination day. At this point, I am sincere in my willingness to serve Malaysians without fear or favour and most importantly, with a strong moral conscience,” Huan said.

“There will be those who may deride my decision but judge me by my record of accomplishment,” he added.

“See what I did for Batu Kawan as MP and even when I was not MP. Perhaps then, you can see my heart to serve Malaysians regardless of creed, colour or class,” he stressed.

Huan vowed to maintain the late Karpal’s tradition of relentlessly seeking justice, bringing development to people where it matters, listening to constituents and speaking up whenever necessary if he is given a chance in Bukit Gelugor.