Opposition wants outgoing Chief Minister to explain investment scandal

Malaysiatoday OPPOSITION parties in Penang are united in questioning the economic status of the island and want the outgoing Chief Minister to explain an investment announced by a multi-national company (MNC) - just after the Feb 24 Nomination Day.

They claim that the contract was aimed at bolstering the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition's chances at the March 8 polls and not at helping the state's economy, which they said, is headed south.

Blogger and Democratic Action Party (DAP) candidate Jeff Ooi described the deal as "scandalous".

The opposition parties claim that they had seen a letter, which Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon had allegedly written to the Malaysian Premier last December, urging him to give his go-ahead for the contract, boosting the BN's fortunes at the hustings.

They went on to suggest that Dr Koh feared that Penang would lose almost 10,000 jobs, if the contract was not awarded.

Said Mr Zahrain Mohammed Hashim, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat candidate for Penang: "We have lost that competitive niche."

But Dr Koh insists that the island's economy is sound.

Candidates from both the opposition and BN have been going all out to woo voters. While the opposition rallies are all about fiery speeches and anecdotes, the BN's, by contrast are far more elaborate.

One BN rally in Prai saw some 1,000 voters feted with an eight-course dinner and entertained by a getai or stage singer.

"I don't think we have the money to do such a thing. And we never have singers like that!" said DAP's Liew Chin Tong.

One popular way has been to turn crooners for the night to entertain the audience.

The only difference, at DAP rallies, such as the one staged by incumbent Bukit Mertajam representative Chong Eng, plastic containers were passed around as he sang to raise funds to support the party.

Good comment from Malaysia Today surfer

Kong Si Fa Cai sutah pigi
Itu tikut masih happi
Sini lali sana lali
Kasi ONG kali kali
Itu undi mau mali
Bulan tika lapan hali
Olang Malaysia satu hati
Hantam BN stengah mati
Cakap sana cakap sini
Dua tika jangan kasi
Kita olang tepuk kaki
Olang BN sakit hati

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