Penang Chief Minister vows work continues after opting out of party polls

He dismisses 'lame duck' tag despite standing down as state DAP chairman

- Lu Wei Hoong

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow insists he will not be a "lame duck" despite standing down as chairman of the Democratic Action Party's (DAP) Penang chapter, after his administration was criticised by his predecessor and party veteran Lim Guan Eng.

"I don't think it's a matter of (being a) lame duck. I will continue to push the government machinery (to work)," he told The Sunday Times.

He would, however, be rendered ineffective "if the party blocks me from pushing the Penang2030 vision", he said.

But he noted that he would toe the party line if it had good reasons to drop his plans for Penang to become a developed state by 2030.

Mr Chow dropped a shocker on Sept 4 when he called an ad hoc press conference to announce that he would not contest the Sept 22 party elections, which are held every three years. He has been DAP's Penang chairman for 25 years.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said in a statement hours later: "Chow's decision won't affect the Penang administration, as he will hold (the) Penang chief minister (post) until the term ends." Till then, Mr Chow, 65, will continue pushing his plans, which include better digital services, boosting the Happiness in Penang index, and improving the state's liveability, economy and civic participation.

Mr Chow became Penang's chief minister in 2018, replacing Mr Lim, who went on to serve as Malaysia's finance minister. Mr Chow was reappointed after the state election in 2023, and can serve until the next state polls due in August 2028.