In Penang, 'associates' lend coalitions a hand

Penang will see a significant number of "associate members" of two major coalitions being fielded as candidates in the upcoming general election.

BN will be fielding candidates from Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM), Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP) and Indian Progressive Front (IPF).

This election was particularly significant for MMSP and IPF because this will mark their electoral debut.

Penang BN chief Musa Sheikh Fadzir (above) told Malaysiakini yesterday that after Gerakan left BN in 2018, there were four parliamentary seats to be redistributed.

However, BN decided to incorporate "Friends of BN" into the candidates’ list in the spirit of friendship and unity.

"We want (to give all our associates) a chance to serve the public. That is the purpose of forming BN," he said.

Musa said even his party made a "sacrifice" by ceding the rights to field a candidate for Nibong Tebal.

"Umno is not greedy... If the leadership ask us to sacrifice, we will do it," he said.

The three "Friends of BN" candidates in Penang are MMSP president RS Thanenthiran (Nibong Tebal), IPF president A Loganathan (Jelutong) and PCM Youth chief Richie Huan Xin Yun (Bukit Bendera).

Notably, Richie is the son of PCM president Huan Cheng Guan.

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional will be fielding three associate members of their component parties.

They are Bersatu associate member Alan Oh Teik Choon (Bagan), Bersatu Associate member P Thinaganarabhan (Bukit Gelugor) and PAS supporters' wing member Steven Koh Tien Yew (Bukit Mertajam).

Penang PN chief Dominic Lau dismissed suggestions of fielding association members of PN component parties as part of a grand strategy.

He said the candidate's party membership was secondary to their ability to be part of a stable and clean government.

"We only consider win-ability, acceptability and capability. We don't consider if the candidate is an associate of Bersatu or PAS," he said.

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