Not to be outdone by the state government, Penang Gerakan today launched its own "Love Penang, Save Penang" logo competition.

State Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong said artwork for the contest deadlined March 2, must revolve around deforestation, floods, lost of heritage sites, loss of foreign investments, lack of medium cost housing, as well traffic congestions, land reclamation and water tariff rise. 

The aforementioned issues are often raised by the state opposition Gerakan against the ruling DAP. 

Speaking to reporters after launching the competition at Gerakan headquarters in Jalan Macalister this morning, Oh said it is sponsored by a private developer, whose identity he refused to divulge. 

"It's a campaign to bring awareness to the public, in creating a better and quality living environment in Penang."

Winners stand to win RM2,500 (first prize), RM2,000 (second prize), RM1,500 (third prize) and seven consolations prizes at RM100 each.

Gerakan's contest comes just two days after the DAP-led state government launched its own "I Love Penang" logo designing competition, themed around Penangites' aspirations for the state. 

The state government's competition, announced by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow last Wednesday, is datelined Feb 28, and carries cash prizes of up to RM2,000 for the first prize winner, followed by RM1,500 and RM1,000 for the second and third prize winners respectively. 

The "I Love Penang" campaign and the ensuing logo competitions came about after Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor's proposal to federalise Penang.