PENANG does not see any need to hold snap elections now in view of the difficult economic and geopolitical conditions, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Instead, the focus for the coming weeks and months should be on governance and development to escape the punitive conditions of rising living and operational costs.
Chow said there is a need to assess the real challenges that the country is facing, rather than just a need to hold elections when the term is near.
Supporting remarks made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the focus should be more people-centric, Chow said Malaysia is currently operating in a challenging global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, supply chain pressures, and rising costs driven by international conflicts and tariff-related issues.
“We understand that the country is in a highly challenging phase due to changes in global geopolitics that have already affected the world, including Malaysia, since last year,” he said when launching the annual George Town Heritage Celebration 2026.
External factors gripping the country range from escalating tariff concerns and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East; both issues have combined to strain global energy and resource markets, creating knock-on effects for the economy.
Against this backdrop, Chow said the federal leadership appears focused on stabilising the nation and addressing immediate development priorities rather than calling for early elections.
“In this situation, I believe the prime minister wants to give attention to national development, address these issues, and strengthen the country’s position,” he said.
Chow also noted that the current electoral cycles across Malaysia do not indicate urgency for simultaneous elections.
He pointed out that while the federal government still has around one and a half years remaining in its term, several states also have sufficient time left in their mandates.
“At this stage, I read that there may not be a need for a sudden general election, and the remaining time should be used to focus on national issues and development."
In Penang, Chow stressed that the state government aligns with this pragmatic approach, prioritising stability and policy continuity over political disruption.
“We will follow whatever decision is made and do what is best for the state and the country. In Penang, we still have about two and a half years left, and there is no strong pressure for a snap election,” he said. - June 6, 2026.
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