GEORGE TOWN: The battle for votes in Penang in the 15th General Election (GE15) promises to be a crowded one, with the addition of more non-traditional parties joining the fray.
Just a day after Sabah-based party Parti Warisan announced its presence in Penang, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) today declared its readiness to battle for Penang seats in GE15.
Penang PBM chairman Alan Oh, at a press conference today, announced the inclusion of former PKR Jelutong branch chief David Ong and 150 former Jelutong PKR members into the PBM fold.
Oh said this was merely the tip of the iceberg.
"This is only the beginning and many more are set to join us.
"We have just completed a two-day roadshow and have registered nearly 2,000 new members, including those from other parties, and another 1,000 new members via online registration," he said.
Oh claimed the party has amassed around 8,000 members in Penang in a month and about 100,000 members nationwide.
He said PBM is well received as it is a party "from the people to the people". Its members, he said, included representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as activists, businessmen and technocrats.
Oh said PBM's main aim was to capture Penang from DAP in the coming elections.
"We are offering ourselves as a better alternative to the people out there. We want to make good the promises to realise the 30 per cent participation of women and youths in mainstream politics. This is evident in our lineup unveiled today.
"What is even more important is that we practise what we preach...we are a real multiracial party unlike other parties which claim to be one.
"While it may not be easy (to capture Penang) but based on feedback from the grassroots, we are being well received on the ground," he added.
He said among the six main thrusts PBM was focusing on included unity, women empowerment, economy and education.
Meanwhile, Ong addressed his departure from PKR.
He said he opted to join PBM as it was "truly multi-racial" and grassroots party.
"I feel I am able to render my services to the people better under the PBM banner," he added.
Phillz Mah, who is Bukit Bendera PKR director of communications, said it was sad that Ong has chosen to leave PKR and join PBM.
Mah said it was also unfortunate that Ong, who had served PKR and the people well before he left to join Oh and Larry Sng in PBM, was not appointed as the local councillor under PKR's quota this year even though he held the position previously.
"However, the fight for reforms and multiculturalism must go on while PKR is still the best platform to do so. While there are things that need to be improved on, PKR is a party with a track record of over 20 years, especially Permatang Pauh member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar, who has been blazing the trail of reforms.
"The rakyat will still put their trust especially in a party that has long served the people rather than any 'overnight' parties meant to split the votes. A new party takes time to groom, nurture and earn the trust of voters."
Mah cautioned Ong that voters vote based on their trust in the principles and ideology of a well-established party rather than a "new outfit that might just disappear after the polls."
"Since PBM has applied to join Barisan Nasional, it is tantamount to recycling of BN's ideologies through a different packaging.
"We believe that Penangites possess the clarity, knowledge and wisdom to choose a party which is consistent in their unfinished fight and struggle for the betterment of the society and people's welfare as a whole," Mah said.