Teh to join PSM after polls

GEORGE TOWN: Former DAP Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, who made a name for himself fighting for the environment and transgenders, plans to join Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) after the general election to help the party expand in Penang.

Currently, PSM has an office at Sungai Pinang which also serves as Teh's service centre.
"I hope to establish at least three branches in Penang within the next two years," said Teh, who is the candidate for Sungai Pinang.
"The socialist ideology is something that resonates with the residents of Sungai Pinang, which has a substantial number of B40s (low income) and M40s (low middle income)."
B40 refers to the bottom 40% income group and M40 indicates the middle 40%.
According to Teh, he and his team had been canvassing for votes daily in Sungai Pinang with varied response.
"Past voting patterns in Sungai Pinang indicate that the voters are wise and there is potential for a swing. Of course, there are some who do not agree with my decision to contest in Sungai Pinang, but it is a democratic country, and anyone can choose to contest anywhere.
"Our presence here in Sungai Pinang is to engage and convince the voters of socialism. PSM's 'Manifesto for 99%' is a good manifesto which many can relate to. It is hard work, but someone has to do it," he added.
PSM central committee member, Choo Chon Kai who is also in Teh's team, described PSM's candidacy in Sungai Pinang as a "tough, uphill battle".
"We have to face two giants here – Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional," he said.
Sungai Pinang has 35,000 voters, of which 52% are Chinese, 38% Malay and 10% Indians.
Teh is involved in a six-cornered fight where he has to face the incumbent and former colleague Lim Siew Khim from DAP, Barisan Nasional's Ng Fook On, Yaakob Omar (PAS), Tan Sim Bee from the Malaysian United Party and an independent candidate Mohammed Yaacob Mohammed Noor.