In Kuala Lumpur for a meeting, KeADILan leader Sim Tze Tsin was far away from his constituency in Pantai Jerejak, but still holding sway in his mind was an issue that has been dominating national attention and is of particular concern to lower-income Penangites.

The 32-year old first-time state assemblyman is passionate about the Pakatan Rakyat plan to issue or convert leasehold property into freehold titles as a way to help lower income groups climb out from poverty.

“This is where we differ from the Barisan Nasional. Our goal is to create as big a middle class as possible. We believe in empowering the people so that they can in turn empower the economy.

“This is completely the opposite from the Barisan, in particular Umno, which wants to create an elite class of rich and then hope for the wealth to trickle down to the masses. But their way always ends up with the rich getting richer, while the poor gets poorer,” said Sim.

Pakatan states Perak, Penang and Kedah are leading the thrust to push for the issuance or conversion of freehold land to low-income groups, but their plan has hit a snag. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has put a freeze order on their proposal, saying the green-light must first be obtained from the National Land Council.