SERVICE centres play an important role as centres of influence for their party and representatives, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said besides being tasked to help solve people’s livelihood issues, service centres, if run efficiently, can win the hearts of the people and gain their trust.
“After the recently concluded general election, the Penang Pakatan Harapan MPs have started to activate their service centres.
“Congratulations to Saudara Lim Guan Eng and his Bagan team on the official opening of the Bagan parliamentary service centre today.
“Service centre can be used to perform various functions as well as make a difference to the party’s struggles and objectives.
“My service centre in Batu Kawan is expected to be officially operational at the end of January, while other service centres, like the Bukit Bendera service centre, are work in progress,” Chow, who is also the Penang Pakatan Harapan chairman, said during his speech after launching the Bagan parliamentary service centre in Jalan Kampung Bawah in Butterworth.
He said the 15th GE provided the opportunity for the country, which has been beset with various challenges and problems, a chance to reset.
“Now is a new era for Malaysia. The state elections are only a few months away and we need to strengthen the unity government,” Chow added.
Among those present at the ceremony were veteran DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and his wife Betty Chew, deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim, who is also the Bukit Mertajam MP, deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, who is also the Tanjong MP, state executive councillors Phee Boon Poh and Soon Lip Chee, Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees, Jawi assemblyman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, Bagan PKR Youth chief Ibrahim Idris, Bagan Amanah chairman Zulkiply Ishak and several MPKK members.
Guan Eng thanked his Bagan team members and supporters for helping him to a big win in his defence of the parliamentary constituency, so much so all his rivals lost their deposits.
But he also cautioned that there were one or two weak spots where the team would need to draw up new strategies come the state election to stem the ‘green wave’.
“We need to focus on the economy and explore more business and job opportunities so that the people will be inspired by the new government’s leadership and capabilities.
“My team will continue to assist the local government in the development and infrastructure improvement and give due assistance to vulnerable groups to give them a better quality of life,” Guan Eng said.
He said although the Bagan service centre has been operational for some time, he felt that a simple official opening of the centre to coincide with the New Year would be a great start under the unity government.
Kit Siang, in his speech, said PH should take note of whatever weaknesses exposed in the general election to fare better in the coming state elections.
“Cooperation is important so that the team will have one spirit,” he said.
Phee and Sim also congratulated Guan Eng on the official opening of the Bagan service centre in their speeches.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Siti Noor Nabilah Noorazis