BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng highlighed what the Pakatan Rakyat has done since it took over the state in 2008, in a move to deflect Barisan Nasional’s (BN) criticism against the Penang state government’s track record.

To date, RM24.6 million has been spent on drainage works under the Seberang Perai Municipal Council and an additional RM13.9 million spent on 95 road projects since 2008, he told reporters in Permatang Pauh yesterday.

The Bagan Member of Parliament (MP) also noted that the state had steadily increased the allocations for the Islamic affairs department from RM25.58 million in 2008 to RM54.08 million this year. Guan Eng said that a 2.2 acre (8.9ha) of land was purchased for RM1.93 million in 2013 to build a community hall in the PAS-stronghold state seat, Permatang Pasir. He said an additional 2.19 acres of land would be acquired this year for the price of RM2.84 million. “The total land area planned for the hall involves 4.33 acres, and the project is set to be completed this July,” he said.

PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli, who was also at the press conference, said BN was seeking the smallest dent in vote majority to sanction support for its administration. He said the slightest drop in majority would be constituted as a victory for BN. “That is why I have to stress again the importance for the constituency’s registered voters to make it a point to return and vote,” he said.

Rafizi raised Pakatan’s concern about BN’s campaign strategy of making house-to-house visits after 10pm. The Pandan MP wanted the Election Commission (EC) to look into the matter. Rafizi said he had received numerous complaints from the party’s grassroots that BN had switched its tactics and had been making late-night house calls instead of the usual ceramah, talks and gatherings. “The EC should monitor this closely to avoid violations of the Election Act,” he said.

PKR’s Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said there were also reports of unusual campaign activities. Registered voters should come out to vote as their votes counted, said Sim.

Selangor assembly speaker Hannah Yeoh reiterated the importance for voters located elsewhere or working in other states to take the day off to return and cast their votes on Thursday. She said the Permatang Pauh voters were being relied on to be the voice of other Malaysians about the BN government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on May 5, 2015.