It looks like the 14th general election campaign is already in the air, even before any decision is made on the dissolution of Parliament.

Hundreds of posters disparaging Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over his alleged "empty promises" since he took over the state government 10 years ago appeared all over Penang this morning.

The posters depict a photo of Lim with the caption "Boasting" in red, and below it is stated, "Pakatan Harapan" and "10 years, 51 empty promises".

Lim was pictured on a flooded street with cars and a high-rise building in the background. 

Malaysiakini met two helmet-clad young boys armed with hundreds of posters, who came on a motorcycle to put up the posters along Chulia Street last night.

The boys, however, declined to comment about the matter and speedily completed their task and left.

The "advance" notices of this poster campaign - in pink bearing the number 1051 - were published today in Chinese language newspapers, namely Kwong Wah Yit Poh, China Press, Guang Ming Daily and Sin Chew Daily. 

When contacted, state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow (photo) said: "Yes, we put up the posters".

He added that the posters were put up only at specific locations throughout the state, along streets with heavy traffic flow.

"51 projects announced since 2008 but nothing materialised, details will be revealed later," Teng told Malaysiakini.

"This is a reminder to Penangites of the unfulfilled promises by Harapan," added the state Gerakan chief, who has been touted as BN's chief minister in waiting should the coalition capture Penang in this coming 14th general election.

Umno Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhamad Farid Saad had raised the issue of the 51 "empty promises" against Lim at the state legislative assembly last year, which the state leaders described as "unfair". 

"This is not new. I have highlighted all these failures in the last state assembly. No answer had been given. Silence means consent.

"Why jump? Instead of addressing these failures, they focus on the offence of putting up the posters on the roadside," Farid said.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow urged the people to look out for paid advertisements in local newspapers attacking the state government, other than the posters.

"They have so much money and resources to kill us and grab Penang back," said tChow, who is the state DAP chief.

"They still have a lot of monies from 1MDB not spent in the last election. They are starting a vicious campaign through posters, newspaper advertisements and social media communication tools such as videos and infographics."

Chow said DAP and Pakatan Harapan leaders, members and supporters must not underestimate BN's resolve to grab back Penang.

"That is why BN leaders are so sure that Teng Chang Yeow will be the next chief minister.

"As usual, DAP will run a clean campaign to highlight our achievements in the last 10 years. It is the people who will have to decide," said the Padang Kota assemblyperson.

Penang Island City Council mayor Yew Tung Seang said the posters would be taken down by the council workers today.