PRM making a comeback in Penang?

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), which last contested in the 2008 general election, is making a comeback.

Its Penang chairman Tang Hiang Lye said the 62-year-old party is currently tracking its existing members and also recruiting new ones.

“We have 12 divisions in Penang and are getting in touch with our members.

“In the next general election, we aim to contest in 12 parliamentary seats and 30 state seats,” he said during a press conference at a restaurant in Alma.

Tang, who is also Juru division chairman, said the party, which previously merged with PKR before splitting, contested in the 2004 and 2008 elections.

“In 2015, Azman Shah Othman contested in the Permatang Pauh by-election but lost,” he said.

PRM national president Ariffin Salimon said the party is a multi-racial party and members work in harmony.

“Everybody is equal in this modern era,” he said in his speech.

Its organising secretary Koh Swe Yong said the party was focusing on Penang because after two terms under DAP, the state has not seen much improvement.

“The DAP has not solved the housing issues. A lot of state land has been sold to developers to build houses which Penangites can’t afford,” he claimed.