Koh: Malay and Indian folk streaming back to Barisan

(The Star) – THERE is a shift in the mood among Penang voters, Gerakan leaders said. They said Malay and Indian voters were streaming back to Barisan while the Chinese were questioning the state government’s policies.

Party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Penang voters were warming up to the Barisan. He said the urban voters were also questioning the actions of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“For the past four-and-a-half years, he had built up a cult-like phenomenon. Now, people are beginning to question him … that’s the feedback we received,” he said after opening Gerakan Life Member Council delegates conference yesterday held concurrently with the party’s Youth and Wanita delegates conferences.

Dr Koh urged party members not to rest on their laurels despite the positive indications.

“We have to work hard and have the right strategies. It’s a psychological war, a war on perception that is not easy to win,” he said.

Gerakan vice-president Datuk Mah Siew Keong said his conversations with the man in the street over the past few months also indicated a shift in the mood.

“They told me they liked the positive moves made by the state Barisan as well as the Prime Minister’s transformation plans,” he said.

Penang Barisan chairman Teng Chang Yeow said he had also received the same feedback.

“We are optimistic about our chances in two or three seats,” he said but declined to name them.

He thanked Dr Koh and Mah for their confidence, adding that it boosted efforts by state party leaders to regain the people’s confidence.