Malaysia

PN faces criticism for retaining Gerakan chief as Penang Chairman

Perikatan Nasional’s decision to retain Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, president of Gerakan, as its Penang chairman has drawn criticism from opposition voices

Updated 11 months ago · Published on 28 Oct 2025 3:37PM

PN faces criticism for retaining Gerakan chief as Penang Chairman
Naysayers express that move disregards grassroots sentiment and reflects a lack of political direction - October 28, 2025

PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) has been criticised for showing a lack of political direction in Penang after it decided to retain Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, president of Gerakan, as the coalition’s chairman in the state.

Abrar Sadiq, communications director of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Penang, said that while the reappointment was made by PN’s central leadership, it appeared to disregard the views of grassroots members from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Pas.

He noted that Gerakan had failed to win any seats in Penang in previous elections.

“We, as part of the Unity Government and Pakatan Harapan (PH), view this decision as a sign that PN is weakening and lacks fresh leadership capable of challenging the stability of the state government today.

“The people of Penang have clearly rejected PN in the last two elections, and the trend shows a rejection of narrow politics and empty rhetoric that brings no benefit to the public,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Abrar expressed confidence that the state’s citizens would continue to support a mature, harmonious, and consistent Unity Government that advocates for all communities, regardless of background.

Earlier, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali announced on Monday that Dominic Lau would remain as PN’s Penang chairman. - October 28, 2025

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