CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow celebrated his 64th birthday together with his friends, team, supporters, and media practitioners this morning.
Chow was presented with four birthday cakes, a photo collage of him engaging the people, and a meaningful birthday card containing beautiful birthday messages from the media personnel.
The simple celebration was held at the Batu Kawan parliamentary Pakatan Harapan operation centre in Chai Leng Park, Perai.
One of the cakes presented to Chow depicted a Harapan logo with an empty box beside it.
Before marking an ‘X’ beside the Harapan logo, Chow expressed his wish for a brighter future for Malaysia.
“We hope that the people can play their role and vote for a better Malaysia. We hope that the people can ‘convert’ their disappointment from the Sheraton Move to a more positive energy.
“The temporary setback (Sheraton Move) will not deter us (Pakatan Harapan) from seeking another mandate from the rakyat to chart a brighter future for the country.
“Our political struggle, this journey, is long and challenging. We will continue with our momentum and not be overconfident,” he told a media conference.
He appealed to eligible voters to take the 15th General Election (GE15) very seriously.
“We must deliberate and decide for the future of our children and our country. We must say no to a kleptocratic government,” Chow, who is contesting the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat, added.
Also present at the media conference were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, who is also the Perai assemblyman, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao-Leung and Batu Kawan Pakatan Harapan campaign director David Marshel.
The Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency consists of Perai, Bukit Tambun and Bukit Tengah state constituencies.
Dr Ramasamy said the Pakatan Harapan government in Penang has done so much for the people in Perai, which include housing and flood mitigation projects.
Goh said the support given to Harapan in Bukit Tambun was encouraging.
“We appeal to first-time voters and eligible young voters to vote for a capable Government.
“Do not let those who could not manage the country continue to manage it. This is our beloved country, and we need to decide its future,” he said, urging the people to follow Pakatan Harapan’s social media pages to know more about what the coalition could offer the people.
Gooi said the people were seeing Chow’s candidacy in Batu Kawan as a big boost to Seberang Perai.
“Chow is walking the talk. He has said it before that Seberang Perai is the future of Penang.
“This GE15 is extremely important, and it is our second chance to reclaim what was lost due to the Sheraton Move,” Gooi said.
David Marshel said most people knew about Harapan, but some had difficulty recognising the coalition logo.
“We have done many walkabouts, focus group discussions and ceramahs to engage the people. We will continue to push forward,” he said.