Ramasamy in tough 6-way fight

BATU KAWAN: Caretaker Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy faces a tough fight with a six-cornered battle for the Prai state seat of which he is a two-term incumbent.
The former academician is squaring off against Penang MIC secretary M. Suresh from Barisan Nasional (BN), G. Asoghan from the People's Alternative Party, Penang Front Party (PFP) president Datuk Patrick Ooi Khar Giap, Parti Rakyat Malaysia's M. Samuganathan and an Independent Kumary Retnam.
The dark horse here is Suresh, an electrical engineer while Asoghan, was formerly a special officer with the late DAP legend P. Patto.
The seat is among three state seats which will witness a six-cornered fight as the political scene in Penang gets crowded with two blocs — BN, Pakatan Harapan of which DAP is the dominant one here, Malaysian United Party, PFP, People's Alternative Party, Parti Cinta Malaysia, PAS and a string of Independents as well as the socialist parties of PCM and PRM.
Ramasamy, who is also nursing a flu, will also have to deal with many sensitive subjects raised by his opponents over land ownership, religious rituals and the environment besides affordable housing and creation of quality jobs.
Another seat — Jawi, which comes under the Nibong Tebal parliament — is contested by former Jawi assemblyman Tan Beng Huat, who served the constituency for one term.
Woman candidate Daphne Edward, a business consultant from PFP has joined the race, whereas her father Edward Joseph also from PFP, is contesting in Bukit Tengah state seat.
Kiew Hen Chong from Barisan Nasional, H'ng Mooi Lye from the DAP, Koay Xing Boon from Malaysian United Party and Tan Chew Suan from PRM. The fight is expected between H'ng and Kiew.
Sungai Pinang on the island is the other seat which is seeing a six-cornered fight here.
Incumbent Lim Siew Khim, from the DAP is facing Teh Yee Cheu, the former DAP assemblyman for Tanjung Bungah under PSM ticket, Ng Fook On from BN, Tan Sim Bee from Malaysian United Party, Yacoob Omar, from PAS and Independent candidate Mohamed Yacoob Mohamed Noor.