Firecrackers were exploding in the distant background as DAP leader Lim Guan Eng stood on top of a makeshift stage (actually it was a small lorry) speaking in a mixture of Mandarin, English and Southern Hokkien.

The Chinese New Year may be over but the festive mood seems to have lingered on thanks in no small part to the start of the general election campaign.

Penang will see fierce battles in the days ahead and the DAP shifted right away into campaign mode after nominations closed on Sunday morning.

Read more