BUTTERWORTH: A NEW Chinese-based Barisan Nasional-friendly political party has been set up to contest against DAP in the 14th General Election.

Penang Front Party pro tem chairman Lee Pohkong said the party was registered on Sept 9.

“We had been trying to register our party since November last year, but we faced difficulty doing so since we have no political links.

“We enlisted the help of Padang Besar member of parliament Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin from Umno, who registered the party and will serve as our adviser,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Zahidi, who was present at the press conference, said the new party planned to contest 25 state seats, but not in constituencies won by Umno.

“We are fighting for the rights of the people in Penang as an alternative option to DAP,” he said, adding that they would leave the parliamentary seats to MCA and Gerakan to contest.

Lee said the new party had about 100 members.

When asked if the party had informed Gerakan and MCA or Penang BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow of its formation and aims, Lee replied in the negative, adding that they would discuss the matter at the party’s first meeting soon.

He said the party planned to build a casino in the state should they win enough seats to secure the state administration.

“This will generate RM3 billion in income, which would greatly help the state economy,” he said, adding that the proposed casino was intended only for tourists.

“We will get our manifesto done soon so that the people will get to know the party better,” he said.

-NST