THE Permatang Pasir by-election promises to be a tough fight between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. Nomination closed on Monday (17.08.09) with BN fielding Permatang Pauh Umno secretary Rohaizat Othman while Penang Pas commissioner Mohd Salleh Man will be running for PR. Read here. Independent candidate Kamarul Ramizu Idris (read here) could not make it in time as he was delayed by the traffic congestion along the route to the nomination centre. Read here.

• It will adopt a face-to-face approach in the election campaign to win over the voters as it had in the Manik Urai election. Read here
• DPM Muhyiddin explains that what is important is for BN to explain the 1Malaysia concept to the people who would vote "rationally". He also said that voters know the opposition parties, even in Penang, are facing internal problems. Read here and here
• In the meantime, MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu affirmed that the Indian community's votes may determine a win for the Barisan Nasional. Read here 

PR, on the other hand, is more cautious:

• PR chief Anwar Ibrahim has taken a more defensive approach in the light of recent problems among PR members. Read here
• CM Lim Guan Eng stated that BN and Pas both had even chances to win the by-election. Read here 

For further analysis of the upcoming by election, please read here and here

For more news on POLITICS, read here

Other news

• Penang Hill Corporation Bill 2009 tabled: The Penang Hill Corporation Bill 2009 tabled at the State Assembly is aimed at giving the corporation the power to manage, operate, control and maintain the Bukit Bendera train service. Read here
• Penang Hill’s new funicular train to be ready in July 2010: The RM60mil project on a new funicular train system for Penang Hill is expected to be completed by July next year. Read here
• Resolution calling for amendment to enable local government elections passed: The Penang State Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the federal government to amend the Local Government Act 1976 and related laws, so as to enable elections at municipal and city councils. Read here
• RM100 reward for senior citizens from 2010: The Penang government will reward each registered senior citizen in the state RM100 a month under the Senior Citizens Appreciation Programme by March 8, next year. Read here
• Penang bridge expansion completed, no toll raise: There are no immediate plans to increase toll rates for the Penang bridge despite its expansion having been completed and the third lane on both sides now fully open to traffic. Read here
• Sixteen Kg Buah Pala houseowners agree to move out before Sept 1: As of August 13, 2009, 16 of the 18 temporary occupation licence (TOL) holders in Kampung Buah Pala, who are due to be evicted, have consented to move out of the Indian settlement by Sept 1. Read here
• Reinstate Rajasingam, urge NGOs: Ten Indian NGOs in Penang want Datuk R Rajasingam reinstated as the Arulmigu Balathandayu-thapani Hilltop Temple Building Committee chairman. Read here, here and here
  
  

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