PENANG: Gerakan has always regarded Penang as a hotspot during general election as the opposition parties have often tried to make the state their power base. 

Acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said it came as no surprise when former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin noted that Penang was one of three “hotspot” states in the country for the next general election. 

“We have always regarded Penang as a hotspot. This is not something new for us,” he said. 

The Penang Chief Minister was responding to Daim’s statement that Kedah, Selangor and Penang were potential hotspots in the next general election.  

Daim was quoted in the China Press as saying that the Government should pay more attention to the three states ahead of the general election. 

Daim had said that based on his findings and feedback from the people, the Government should give priority to resolving existing issues affecting the three states before the general election. 

“The situations during each general election were very challenging and heated,” Dr Koh said. 

For example, DAP had launched Tanjung I, II and III campaigns during the 1986, 1990 and 1995 general election with the aim of capturing the state, but failed. 

The Chief Minister said the 1999 general election was one of the most challenging years following the sacking of former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

Dr Koh said the political climate was hot even in the 1970s and 1980s during the era of former Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. 

Based on past experiences, Gerakan and Barisan Nasional had always been cautious during general election. 

“That is why we do not want any disturbances, as we need to focus on the elections,” he said. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said on Saturday that he would give his personal attention to the three hotspot states during the general election. 

He had also said that the Government would monitor and pay attention to the arising issues in Selangor, Penang and Kedah.