State elections to see heightened competition in four Penang seats

SHAH ALAM - With the state elections on the horizon, heightened competition is expected in certain state seats, with the unity government's achievements setting the stage for decisive battles.

Sinar Premium identified four seats in Penang that could be crucial in determining the fate of heavyweights, either securing their positions or facing defeat as candidates.

The four seats in question are Padang Kota, Bertam, Air Putih, and Bayan Lepas.

Speculation arose regarding the possibility of a new chief minister candidate for Penang if Tanjong MP Chow Kon Yeow was dropped.

However, the DAP chairman chose to contest in the Padang Kota seat, where he will face off against the Penang Gerakan deputy chairman, whom he had previously defeated in GE14.

Chow is expected to have a strong chance of winning the Padang Kota seat.

The Bertam seat saw an interesting development as its incumbent, Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq's success in GE14 was attributed to leaning on PH voters at the time.

With BN's heavyweight candidate, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, experiencing defeat to the Pas candidate Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad, in the Kepala Batas Parliament in GE15, questions arose about the strategy of placing the former Housing and Local Government minister for the Bertam seat, which PH had won in the previous election.

In the Air Putih seat, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, the former Penang chief minister, is gearing up to defend the seat for the fifth term, putting forward his experience and leadership.