‘Barisan needs stronger voice in state assembly’

BUTTERWORTH: Bagan parliamentary Barisan Nasional coordinator David Chua has called for a stronger Opposition voice in the state assembly. Chua said voters should support Barisan candidates in the next general election to have a stronger Opposition. Penang has 40 state seats of which Pakatan Rakyat has 29 while Barisan, through Umno, has 11. “There is no MCA or MIC representation in the state assembly, but I hope the people will support both parties so there can be a check and balance,” said Chua. Earlier, Chua, who is also Bagan MCA Youth division head, paid tribute to the Bagan Wanita Umno division head Jumabee Mohamad for her effort in obtaining hampers and business equipment from the Women, Family and Community Deve-lopment Ministry to help the poor constituents here. Chua said the country had been peaceful since independence under Barisan's leadership. It had been proven that Barisan could maintain peace and order besides helping the country develop, he said. Bagan Dalam Barisan coordinator M. Karuppanan said the coalition showed sincere concern about the welfare of the people with the 1Malaysia concept, whereby nobody should be left behind. He claimed that there were signs that the Indians were returning to the Barisan fold. Earlier, hundreds of Taman Bagan residents thronged a health programme organised here.