Teh, who quit DAP yesterday, said he is contesting the seat “on loan” from PSM and will join the party once he meets the party’s strict membership requirements.
He said he chose PSM to pursue his “Reformasi 2.0” agenda in Penang to fix issues still unresolved since the opposition took power in the state in 2008.
Teh said the incomplete “reformasi” in the state included the issues of separation of powers and inadequate checks and balances at the state assembly.
He said locally in Sungai Pinang, he hopes to address the flood issue, which he blamed on hill clearing upstream of the river.
Teh said his manifesto for the people of Sungai Pinang would be focused on promoting “jiwa alam, harmoni dan suara rakyat” (soul of nature, harmony and voice of the people)
“This is a chance for PSM and me to grow from nothing to something, and also to grow socialism in Penang,” he said at a press conference at the Jelutong PSM service centre in Jalan Trusan today.
Meanwhile, PSM central member Choo Chon Kai said Teh was given the opportunity to contest under the party’s ticket after fulfilling four criteria set for candidacy.
The criteria listed are asset declaration, rejection of racist and religious politics, acceptance of PSM’s national election manifesto and pledge to open a service centre if he wins.
Choo said Teh would be welcome to be a party member after serving in an area of his choice for a minimum of two years.
He said currently, Penang has “30 to 50” PSM members.
“Teh is one of three non-PSM members given a chance to stand on the PSM ticket in the coming polls. We usually allow activists who we feel are truly passionate about their cause to use our party logo.
“We feel Teh is an excellent candidate to bring forth our people’s power and social justice agenda ideology. PSM is proud of Teh’s firm stand on matters involving the people and environmental protection,” Choo said.
Choo said PSM would be contesting in a Penang seat for the first time and hoped the “Teh Yee Cheu factor” would spread the socialist ideology among Penangites.
“Teh and PSM will breathe new political air into the state assembly, differing from the mainstream political parties that are there,” he said.
In the latest electoral roll, Sungai Pinang has 24,480 voters, a slight increase from 23,501 voters in the last polls. The majority of the voters are Chinese.
Incumbent state assemblyperson Lim Siew Khim is from DAP.
Penang BN and state Gerakan chief Teng Chang Yeow is speculated to be eyeing Sungai Pinang, among a few other state seats, to contest in GE14.