Eateries put up giant screens for patrons to watch debate

SUPPORTERS of MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng are expected to jam pack coffeeshops, food courts and restaurants in Penang today to watch the live telecast of what has been dubbed as this year’s hottest debate between the two leaders.

While many will watch the telecast via Astro’s AEC Channel 301 at 5pm, there are also those who will catch the screening via giant projector screens at Jalan Raja Uda food court (Butterworth), Insa Dunia food court (Bukit Mertajam), Prangin Mall (Penang island) as well as other eateries.

Bukit Mertajam MCA division chief Lau Chiek Tuan said about 500 people, including party members and supporters, would gather at Insa Dunia food court on Jalan Kampung Baru to watch the live telecast.

He said a giant 4.2m by 2.7m projector screen as well as two smaller projector screens would be installed at the food court for the public to watch the debate.

Coffeeshop talk: Chua (left) with Bagan MCA deputy chairman Sum Yoo Keong (right) and other MCA members and residents discussing the debate

Residents get to know new Bagan Dalam Barisan coordinator

NEWLY appointed Bagan Dalam Barisan Nasional coordinator M. Karuppanan was introduced to Taman Bagan residents at a grand dinner in Seberang Prai which was attended by more than 1,000 people.

It was organised in conjunction with Deepavali.

Also present, Bagan parliamentary constituency coordinator David Chua called on the Taman Bagan residents to give their support to Karuppanan.

He said he was sure that the new coordinator would give the best service to the people.

Meanwhile, Karuppanan, who spoke in fluent Hokkien, assured the residents in Bagan Dalam that he would do his best for them.

“I will be at my service centre on Jalan New Ferry in Butterworth every Tuesday (5.30pm to 8.30pm) and Sunday (10am to 1pm) to handle the people’s problems.

“I will have two Chinese staff members to handle problems faced by the Chinese community in the constituency,” he said.

Karuppanan and Chua later donated RM6,000 and RM2,000 respectively to SJK Chung Hwa 2.

The former also sponsored RM15,000 for Saturday’s dinner which was jointly organised by Taman Bagan MCA, Taman Bagan Rukun Tetangga, Pertubuhan Penganut Dewa Hock Teik and Persatuan Phor Thor Taman Bagan.

Penang MIC chief Senator Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah said he was sure that his successor, Karuppanan, who is a lawyer for the past 25 years and also Penang MIC secretary, would do better than him in serving the people.

Present were Sungai Puyu coordinator Sum Yoo Keong, Bagan Jermal coordinator Teh Lay Cheng, Bagan MCA chief Loo Khay Thye, Penang MIC Youth chief J. Dhinagaran and dinner organising chairman Gun Seong Joo.

Star Metro Monday October 24, 2011