DAP wins the heart of Penang, experts say

SHAH ALAM - Penang has always been rooting for DAP and it will not be a surprise if the party wins in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).

National Council of Professors Senior Fellow Jeniri Amir said DAP was a strong party living in the core heart of people in Penang.

"I am pretty sure DAP will win in the upcoming GE15 and it's rather difficult for other parties to beat DAP as their performance are good.

"Previously, people have seen what DAP has done in Penang, which gains more support and trust," he told Sinar Daily.

When asked about Penang Gerakan’s move to use their own flag instead of Perikatan Nasional (PN) flag, Dr Jeniri said there would be no difference in it.

"Whatever logo or flag they use, I don't think Gerakan will give any severe impact," he said.

Meanwhile, Akademi Nusantara political analyst Azmi Hassan said despite having tremendous supporters of DAP, Barisan Nasional (BN) had a slim chance of winning in a few areas in Penang.

"DAP is quite strong in Penang but maybe BN can retain into seats that they won during GE14 and has a slim chance to win in Nibong Tebal," he said.

Talking about the chances of other parties penetrating the state, Azmi believed that only BN held the chance.

"Only BN has the chance to penetrate, I don't think PN can uproot PH in Penang.

"The current level of supporters in DAP is enjoying especially the state government administrating very well in Penang and it is quite difficult for other parties to penetrate Penang," he said.

Another expert Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani from Universiti Utara Malaysia opinionated that the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) could try to penetrate Penang but the chances were as thin as air whereas Umno have high chances to win in Malay-dominated constituencies.

Azizuddin also said it was not a good move for Gerakan to use its own flag in Penang instead of the PN flag.

"It is not a good move for Gerakan to use own flag in Penang instead of PN flag. They have to use PN flag unless PN decides to allow all PN component parties to use their own flag.

"However, this will not go well with the public because it seems that PN is divided," he said.

Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow recently said the party would perform well in GE15 if it chooses the correct narrative.

He admitted that the national political landscape this time around is very different, especially after the 'Sheraton Move'.