GEORGE TOWN – Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow has announced that he will not be defending the position, putting rest to speculations on whether he would continue in the role that he has been holding since 1999.
In a press conference, Chow said he had received a letter from DAP on August 27, notifying him of his nomination for the Penang DAP elections, expected to take place on September 22.
However, he decided not to accept the nomination.
“When I was reappointed as the Penang chief minister after the state election in 2023, the (DAP) secretary-general Anthony Loke instructed me to work on a succession plan.
“As such, I have decided to take the first step of this succession plan to pave the way for a new leader to be elected as the new Penang DAP state chairman in the 2024 state committee election.
“The timing is perfect because the new chairman will have more than three years to lead and prepare the party to face the next general election,” said Chow in a statement read during the press conference.
Chow said that he trusted the delegates would elect a strong state committee to continue DAP’s “political mission” in Penang.
He also expressed his appreciation to the party for their support throughout his term as state party leader in the last 25 years and the eight years as secretary before that.
“Above all, I am indebted to the people of Penang for their great support and fighting spirit to journey together with me during my tenure as state chairman and secretary of Penang DAP,” added Chow.
When asked by reporters whether his decision not to run for re-election as state DAP chief would affect his position as chief minister, which is currently in its second term, Chow said that the “party needs to respond to their questions”.
Chow explained that when he was re-appointed into the position, Loke told him that the Padang Kota assemblyman would get to serve his second term in full and that there would not be any changes in the middle of the term.
However, he said he is leaving it to the party to decide, as they appointed him into the position.
Meanwhile, Loke assured that Chow would get to serve his second chief ministership term in full.
In a statement, Loke said that he had taken note of Chow’s decision to decline the nomination and respected the latter’s decision. He also revealed that Chow had discussed his decision with the former before making the announcement.
“It needs to be stressed that his decision today would not affect Penang state’s administration as he will continue holding the chief minister position until the end of its term.
“This is in line with the state’s constitution that limits the chief minister to serve for a maximum of two terms,” said Loke. – September 4, 2024