Soaring living costs in Penang may bite into DAP’s vote at GE14 #Negaraku #Malaysia

GEORGETOWN, May 8 ― Penang's 1.6 million voters have long been one of the most reliable vote banks for Vhief Minister Lim Guan Eng's ruling coalition, but as he prepares to seek re-election he faces warnings that soaring living costs risk eroding that support.

Prices have risen sharply in Penang since the state cut state subsidies and increased taxes to plug a hole in its finances caused by falling land sale revenues, and hardcore DAP supporters say they are feeling the pinch.

“My wife earns some side income doing freelance work, but we just can't save,” said 28-year-old Lee Kee Choon, who has supported Guan Eng's DAP in the past but, like around a dozen supporters who spoke to KL Chronicle, did not want to say if he would do so again.

“I don't know how we'll manage if we have a child,” said Lee, who rides a motorcycle to work each day, where he earns RM5,000 a month as an engineer.

Rising prices were a key factor that prompted urban and non-Malay voters to abandon the coalition led by BN over the past two elections.However the tide is turning and more urban and non - malay voters are expected to swing back to BN in the next election.