PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has hinted to his DAP colleagues that the state is unlikely to serve out the full five - year term and is likely to join the federal elections when polling is called.
"DAP must be fully prepared to face the upcoming elections, which could take place within the next 18 to 24 months, either at the state or national level," said Chow, who is a former DAP vice-president.
The Sabah state election is scheduled to be held before the year end followed by Sarawak with Johor and Melaka said to be following suit.
A party veteran, having served a record 10 - terms as Penang DAP chairperson, and a former political secretary to founding member Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, Chow said that: “logically, we still have three more years. However, if the state election is held simultaneously with the (next) general election, the term for the Penang administration will be shortened."
“Therefore, I hope Penang DAP will be fully prepared to face the upcoming election to secure a fresh mandate for the state," said Chow after attending a dialogue with Kepala Batas DAP area members.
The current state administration under the unity Government has only completed over two years of its five-year term.
Under Chow's leadership, DAP with its Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition partners of PKR and Parti Amanah Nasional won 29 out of the 40 state seats in the 2023 state election, which was held several months after the parliamentary one in 2022.
The electoral performance was seen as lukewarm as in the previous election of 2018, DAP led PH to sweep 37 out of the 40 state seats in one of the most landslide margins ever in a state, who is often critical of its elected representatives.
“We must strengthen our readiness with the support of elected representatives, local councillors, Village Community Management Council (MPKK) members, and the Penang DAP machinery,” Chow, who is the Tanjung assemblyman, said.
Chow is serving out his final term as chief minister, but it remains to be seen if his services may be needed at the parliamentary level, of which he is the Batu Kawan MP.
The current Penang DAP chairperson is Steven Sim Chee Keong, who is also the Human Resources Minister.
Chow also said that Penang DAP would be able to deliver on 100% of the manifesto promises made during the last election before voters head to the polls again.
Sim on his part, urged all DAP members, including state and federal elected representatives, who aspire to be candidates or hold positions, to engage regularly with the people and grassroots party members.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that DAP remains the strongest component party in the Madani national unity government, both at the state and federal levels. - September 8, 2025.
